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TWO PLAYS OF ISRAEL 



TWO PLAYS OF ISRAEL 

DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
MARY MAGDALEN 
BY 
FLORENCE WILKINSON &vnXA^4 




NEW YORK 

McCLURE, PHILLIPS |- CO. 

MCMIV 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 
JUN 3 1904 
Copyright Entry 

CLASS^ XXo. No. 

coPYe 



V343T2 



Copyright, 1904, ^V 
FLORENCE WILKINSON 



PubUshed, May, 1904, N 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 



SYNOPSIS OF SCENES 

ACT ONE 

Scene : The Well of Bethlehem. 

ACT TWO 

Scene I : The Garden at Gibeah. 
Scene II : Witch of Endor's House. 

ACT THREE 
Scene : Room in Saul's Palace. 

ACT FOUR 

Scene I : The Tabernacle. 
Scene II : Cave of AduUam. 

ACT FIVE 

Scene : The Walls of Gath. 



PERSONS ; 

I 
DAVID 

SAUL I 

AHINOAM i 
JONATHAN 

MERAB \ 

MICHAL ! 

JESSE I 

DAVID'S MOTHER j 

ELIAB J I 

ABINADAB t Brothers of David | 

SHAMMAH ; j 
SAMUEL 

ADRIEL I 

PHALTIEL 1 

DOEG \ 

BITHIAH ] 

AMASA -) 1 

ASAHElI Nephews of David j 

AGAG King of Amaiek \ 

HURAI ! 

ELEAZER I 

ACHISH King of Gath 

WITCH OF ENDOR 

ASSHUR A priest ! 

EGLAH A Philistine woman 



Youths, Maidens, Courtiers, Servants, Heralds, 
Priests, Levites, Philistines, Israelites. 



ACT I 

Scene I : A sweep of hill-side in the country, 
David's well, stone-coped, is in the shade of a great 
oak-tree. In the distance are the receding blue 
ranges. The white-roofed village of Bethlehem 
with its surrounding walls is glimpsed in a fold of 
the hills. A wooded path, l, with one practical 
exit hack-stage. Two exits right. 1 e r lead- 
ing up the mountain and continued on the scene to 
give the effect of great distance. 2 e r past a 
palm-tree to Bethlehem. 

A triumphal procession enters from l. 

FIRST HERALD 

coming from l alone 
Prepare ye the way ! 

He blows on a silver trumpet. 

SECOND HERALD 

blowing on his trumpet 
Prepare ye the way ! 

[5] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

FIRST YOUTH 
He hath smitten the enemies of Jehovah. 

SECOND YOUTH 
He hath laid low them that put us to scorn. 

PROCESSION OF YOUTHS chanting 
He hath scattered them, 
Like grass of the field they are withered, 
Like flowers they are brought to nought. 

HERALDS 
Prepare ye the way ! 

Shouting heard in distance. Two snow-white 
oxen, garlanded, form part of the procession that 
now enters from l. Do eg leads them. Soldiers 
as from the field of battle. Shouting and huzzas. 

YOUTHS chanting 

He hath brought the enemy to nought. 
He hath put him in subjection. 
Lo, even to the gates of Gibeah doth he come nigh. 
And he who troubled Israel weareth the yoke. 

ALL 

Huzza, huzza ! 

HERALDS 

Prepare ye the way ! 

[6] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

SOLDIERS 
Saul, Saul ! 

Enter soldiers bearing glittering' burdens, spoil from 
the conquered. Agag the captive king comes last, 
bound in chains and alone, a sullen, wolfish man. 
As he appears, all utter cries of derision. The 
procession is now at rest, massed up-stage. 

AGAG standing alone 

Ye dogs of Isi'ael ! 

A soldier silences him with threatening gesture. 
Two young lads, clad in white, bearing banners 
with device of Benjamin, run lightly across the 
foreground. Applause. The people fall back, 
farming a hollow square. 

AD KIEL a courtly exquisite 
Behold, our king ! 

DOEG 

A red-bearded, crafty man 
The c-conqueror. 

PEOPLE 

Saul, Saul, all hail ! 

Enter l Saul and Jonathan. Saul is a kingly 
Hgure of great stature, with unfathomable mela/n- 

[7] 



r 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM ! 

choly in his look. Jonathan a frank, simple 
youth. 

DOEG ! 

The p- prince beloved ! \ 

PEOPLE i 

\ 

Saul and Jonathan ! Jonathan and Saul ! All \ 

hail ! \ 

\ 

AGAG \ 

Howling hyenas : 

People utter menacing cries, start forward. ; 

SAUL raising his hand j 

Peace, leave him alone ! Has he not suffered i 
enough ? i 

Enter l Ahinoam, Saul's wife, Merab and\ 
MiCHAL his daughters, and Bithiah their Ethio- \ 
pian serving-maid. Greetings pass between them \ 
and Saul and Jonathan. They stand in a group \ 
c down-stage. Jonathan and Mtchal linked arm j 
in arm. Adriel hy Merab his wife, and Saul and \ 
Ahinoam together. \ 

SAUL I 

Here shall we rest and wait for the prophet 

Samuel. 
People utter cries of dissatisfaction. \ 

[ 8 ] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

AHINOAM 
A proud woman of scornful mien, with lip habit- 
ually curled. 
Why do the people murmur ? 

VOICES 
A sacrifice, a sacrifice ! 

AHINOAM to Saul 

You shall be our high priest. 

SAUL 
Jehovah forbid ! Far be it from me to stand in 
the prophet^s place. 

AHINOAM to Jonathan 

Beseech your father that he make the sacrifice. 

JONATHAN 
It is forbidden him, mother. 

MICHAL 
She is a wild timid dark-eyed creature, half gazelle, 
half leopard in her couchant intensity. 
It is for Samuel the prophet. 

AHINOAM 
Victory is ours. It is also ours to celebrate. 
The people show signs of uneasiness, swaying hack- 
ward and forward and murmuring among them- 
selves. 

[9] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

VOICE ^ 

•J 

Saul is afraid. ' 

AHINOAM 

scqffingly to Saul j 

It may be the gray-beard prophet is asleep, for \ 

he is old and weary. j 

A GAG I 

taking advantage of the confusion j 
Starved jackals ! 

AHINOAM I 

Or mayhap he hath stumbled, for his feet are in- j 

firm. j 

MERAB I 
She is Michal''s older sister^ with a wealth of ruddy 

beauty and a placid abundance of good-will, \ 

The flowers are withering. j 

ADRIEL j 

Soon the sun will set. ■ 

j 

AHINOAM to Saul ; 

My lord, the people murmm*. j 

DOEG j 

My lord, shall we order an altar built up .? i 

[ 10 ] i 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

SAUL 
Is it not enough that I have brought them cattle 
and sheep and also Agag, the King of the 
Amalekites ? What will they beside ? 

PEOPLE 
An altar, an altar ! 

AHINOAM 
Saul, take courage, for you are king and con- 
queror. Build up an altar and sacrifice. 
The people Jling up their arms in approval. 

JONATHAN 
Wait but a little while. 

MICHAL 

Father, you are so great and the victory is so 
great, cannot they have patience ? 

JONATHAN 
My father, you are forbidden to sacrifice. 

SAUL 

And who is he that should lay commandment upon 
me ? Build ye then an altar ! 

DOEG 
repeating the command to the soldiers 
Build ye an altar. 

[11] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

Soldiers run hither and thither heaping stones. 
The two young men stand behind with banners. 
Youths heap flowers. 

MICHAL to her father 

Father, my father, I fear that this is a wrong and 
Jehovah will not forget. 

SAUL to MiCHAL 

Take your hand from off my robe. Let the burnt 
offering be placed upon the altar. 

DOEG 
So be it, my lord. 

Smoke arises from the altar as Saul stands beside 
it. 

VOICE 
And is Saul also among the prophets ? 

CRIES 
Huzza, huzza! The day of the Lord ! 

PEOPLE chanting 

He hath laid them low, laid them low. 
Agag he hath brought captive. 
The pride of Amalek perishes. 
Sudden silence. The faces of all turned to the l, 
to a footpath from the hills. A solitary figure^ 
white-bearded^ clad in a long white mantle^ appears, 

[12] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

MICHAL 
The Prophet Samuel ! 

SAUL 
Blessed be thou of Jehovah ! 

SAMUEL 
Saul, woe unto thee ! 

He knocks down the altar of stones with his staff 
ajid tramples on the flowers. Shudder of horror 
from the people. Saul utters an exclamation^ tot- 
ters, leans heavily on Doeg. Ahinoam runs to 
him on the other side, hut he spurns her. Michal 
utters a faint cry and seizes Jonathan's hand. 

MICHAt. 
Alas, my brother ! 

SAMUEL 
Saul, you have broken the commandment of Je- 
hovah. 

SAUL 
Nay, I have performed His commandment. 

SAMUEL 
Was not His commandment, Bring not a spoil 
of the conquered peoples, but destroy them 
utterly and sacrifice not till the prophet 
come ? 

[13] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

SAUL 
I have obeyed. I have gone the way which Je- 
hovah sent me. I have taken captive Agag 
and I have destroyed his people utterly. 

SAMUEL 

What means then this lowing of the cattle which 
I hear and the smoke which ascends ? 

SAUL 
The people took of the spoil to sacrifice unto Je- 
hovah by the well of Bethlehem. 

SAMUEL 
Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt offerings 
as in obedience ? 

SAUL 
Because thou camest not within the hours ap- 
pointed and because of the victory, I forced 
myself therefore, and offered the burnt 
offering. 

SAMUEL 
Foolishly have ye done. 
The people groan and prostrate themselves, 

AGAG 

Lick ye the dust before the gray-beard. 

[14] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

SAMUEL 

You have sinned because you have forsaken Je- 
hovah and lo, his punishment will descend 
upon you. 

The people wail. 

SAUL 
Nay, nay, not on them, not on my people. 

JONATHAN 
Let it fall on me, the seed of Saul. 

MICHAL 
And on me, his daughter ! 

SAUL 
No, not on them, not on my children beloved. 

SAMUEL 
Choose, then, on you and your house or on these 

people. 
A long pause, while Saul thinks. 

SAUL 
I have chosen. 

The people wail. 

PEOPLE 
Woe unto us, woe, woe ! 

[15] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM I 

I 

SAUL \ 

It is I alone that have sinned. Let the curse fall i 
on me alone. 

SAMUEL I 

Let the people go. Let them depart, each man ; 
to his house. : 

The people scatter in various directions, r and l, 
the two young men with banners lowered. Agag 
remains in the centre with his hands hound. \ 

AGAG ' 

Like foxes, each one to his hole. ; 

J)o^G pricTcs him with his spear and so drives him out. \ 

' i 

ADRIEL to MeRAB ! 

I 

Come, let us depart to our home. \ 

MERAB pouting \ 

The day has been spoiled. ' 

Exeunt Merab and Adriel. : 

SAUL to Ahinoam. ; 

Woman, go with your daughter. 
Exit Ahinoam, heckoning to Bithiah, r. \ 

MICHAL I 

kneeling hy Samuel i 

Deal gently with him, I pray ! ^ 

She hisses her father'' s hand and goes out with \ 

Jonathan. j 

[16] \ 

I 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

JONATHAN as he departs 

Father, we will wait for you by the terebinth-tre^. 

SAMUEL 

Saul, when you were little in your own sight, you 

were made king over Israel, and Jehovah 

would have established your kingdom upon 

Israel forever, but now it shall not continue. 

SAUL 
I pray you, pardon, pardon. 

SAMUEL 
Jehovah hath sought him a man after his own 
heart who shall rule in your place. 

SAUL 

The punishment is greater than I can bear. Nay, 
nay, it must not be so. My seed shall pos- 
sess the kingdom after me. Leave me, man 
of iron. He turns from Samuel. Nay, 
leave me not. 

He clings to Samuel's mantle, which is torn in his 

hands. 

SAMUEL 

Even thus hath Jehovah rent the kingdom of 
Israel from you this day and given it to an- 
other. 

[17] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM ' 

The sky is darkened and there is lightning and ; 
thunder as Samuel departs the way he came, j 
'^A.\]i. falls down^face hetiveen his knees, moaning. ] 

SAUL musing ■ 

The kingdom is rent from me and is given unto ' 
my neighbor, one greater than I, Jehovah { 
does not he, neither will He repent. ■ 

Laughter is heard from e l. Am as a and Asahel, 
yowng lads of fifteen, nephews of David, run, \ 
laughing breathlessly, over stones and bowlders. \ 
They carry between them a basket of fruits and j 
cakes. They look behind them. i 

AMASA \ 

Look there ! ; 

ASAHEL 
There he comes. 

AMASA 

Down, stoop down ! : 

ASAHEL I 

Quick, he will see us. j 
They crouch behind the ruined altar of stones, j 
Som£ of the stones roll under their feet. They j 

laugh. :; 

AMASA ' ' I 

Hush! ^ii 

[18 ] ' 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

David's voice 

from the l, singing 
The mountains were glad, 
Yea, the httle hills rejoiced 
At His coming. 
AsAHEL lifts his head and Amasa pulls him down. 

SAUL still unheeding 

I am brought down to the grave. 
Enter David, 1 e r, carrying his harp twined 
with red anemones. He is a slight but stalwart 
lad of twenty, with a poefs brow and a hearing of 
distinction. 

DAVID 

Awake up, my glory ; 
Awake, psaltery and harp ! 
I myself will awake early. 
Hearing a noise behind the altar he stops. 
But a few minutes ago and the lads were with 
me and now I see them nowhere. I saw them 
flying through the rocks ahead and then they 
vanished. 
Amasa and Asahel spring up, holding over 
David's head a wreath of wild olives they have 
taken from the basket. 

[19] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
A crown ! 

Saul, attracted by this word, looks suddenly 

round. The hoys drop the wreath in confusion. 

SAUL 
What there ? 

All three are covered with confusion, David picks 
up the wreath and toys with it. The two hoys fal- 
ter backward toward 2 e r, while Saul's eyes are 
fixed on David. 

SAUL 
Cannot you speak ? 

DAVID 
My lord ? 

SAUL 
What do you here and with that crown ? 

DAVID 

The play of children. 

SAUL 

taking it from David''s hand 
The play of children is not with crowns. 
He cuts it in two with his sword and hurls it down. 
The two hoys stand amazed at his violence. 
To David. 
Your name ? 

[20] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

DAVID 
David of Bethlehem, son of Jesse. 
Exeunt the boys. 

SAUL 

And these ? 

DAVID 

They will answer for themselves. 

SAUL 

They have answered as do the wild antelopes 
when man calls them. They flee. Am I 
then so terrible ? 

DAVID 
You terrify me not. 

SAUL 

You do not fear ? 

grasping him hy the arm, 

DAVID 
My lord, I know not what is fear. I have 
watched the lone night on the mountain and 
bearded the lion when he roared after his 
prey. Why then should I fear mortal man 
to whom I have done no harm ? 
[21] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

SAUL 

Innocent ! You know not fear, nor remorse that 
gnaws at the heart, nor shame that burns 
the soul. Do you know me ? 

DAVID 
I think that you are one of the great, but your 
name is unknown to me. I am but a shep- 
herd lad, feeding my father's flock among 
the hills of Bethlehem. 

SAUL 
And this harp ? 

DAVID 
I love to awake music among the hills. I watch 
the stars over Bethlehem and the moon 
when she arises behind the cedars. I sing 
them on my harp. It makes also the melody 
of falling waters and of the rain-storms 
among the hills. ' 

SAUL 
Happy one ! Your errand here ? 

DAVID 
My brothers are great ones and are returning 
from afar. Have you not heard the fame of 
Eliab the potter and of Abinadab, the king's 
standard-bearer? 

[22] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

SAUL 

The king ? 

DAVID 
Yes, my lord. And I was sent with my nephews 
to meet them and bring them refreshment. 

SAUL 
What do your brothers say of the king ? 

DAVID 
That he is noble and brave. 

SAUL 

A godly man ? 

DAVID 
Like one of the prophets. 

SAUL 
Are they pleased with his kingship ? 

DAVID 

Yes, my lord. 

SAUL 
They would protect him to the death ? 

DAVID 
To the death and I, too, my lord. 

SAUL 

Are you fain to serve the king ? 

[23] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
I would serve him with my hfe. 

SAUL 

So you long for the tumult of life ? 

DAVID 
If I might serve Saul my king. 

SAUL 

Swear to me your loyalty to your king. 

DAVID 

clasping Saul's hand 
I swear. 

SAUL 

What have you here in this basket ? 

DAVID 

Fruit, my lord, and cakes for my three brothers. 

SAUL 

Spread out that we may eat. 

David unpacks the contents of the basket. 

DAVID 

Have you been at Gibeah and seen the king ? 

SAUL 

Yes, I have seen him. What, raisins ? 

[24] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

DAVID 
A lordly man to look upon ? 

SAUL 

And cakes of barley, also ? He is dark, yes, and 
tall. 

DAVID 
Royal in manner ? 

SAUL 

Abrupt, they say, and of an evil temper. Milk 
in a bottle ! 

DAVID 
It is his kingly wrath at follies and the things that 
are wrong. 

SAUL 
Fall to eating, boy. 

DAVID 
I cannot eat. My heart is bursting. 

SAUL 

At what ? 

DAVID 
At the thought that you have seen the king. 
Have you sat at meat with him ? 

SAUL 
Even as I do now with you. Eat, eat ! 

[25] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 

rising and going to the well 
No, no, I am not hungry. Will you not have 

water from the well of Bethlehem ? 
He draws water and offers a cup to Saul, who 
drinks. 

SAUL 

Did you hear SauFs army as it went through the 
hills to Gibeah ? 

DAVID 
Nought but huzzas and the trampling of feet like 
the noise of many waters, but I was afar 
among the caves, looking for my sheep. 

SAUL 

Did you hear no other sound ? 

DAVID 
Jehovah thundered among His mountains and the 
lightning was upon the waters like a sword. 

SAUL gloomily 

When the curse fell upon me ! 

DAVID 

My lord ? 

[26] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

SAUL 
Sing me one of your songs. I am troubled. 
David takes his harp while Saul rests himself 
against the oak-tree, shading his eyes with a fold of 
his robe. 

DAVID singing 

The Lord my shepherd is, 

I shall not want. 
In the green pastures shall I lie 

And walk beside still waters. 

The Lord my soul restores ; 

He leadeth me 
In paths of righteousness 

For His name''s sake. 

Enter from 2 e r, unnoticed, Jonathan and 

MiCHAL. 

Yea, though I walk in night. 

In death's dark valley, 
Yet will I fear no evil, 

For Thou art with me. 

Mich A L, as if fascinated, has been approaching 
David. At the conclusion of this last strophe 
he sees her and rises, surprised. She puts her 

[27] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

finger on her Up to signify silence and he sings 

again. 

Yet I will fear no evil. 

For Thou art with me. 

As David sings, Michal continues to approach, 

her finger still upheld in warning. 

My cup runs over. 

Goodness and mercy follow me — 

David stops singing hut plays. Michal takes up 
the music, unconsciously. 

MICHAL singing 

And in the king's house thou shalt dwell 
All thy life's days. 

At the new voice Saul turns and sees them side by 
side. His rohe which he has been holding before his 
eyes drops from his uplifted hand. David and 
Michal smile, looking first at Saul, then at each 
other. 

SAUL 
Is this a dream ? 
Enter quietly from 2 e r, Doeg. 



to Doeg 



Is this a dream ? 

DOEG 
My lord .? 

[28] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

SAUL 
Do you see yon two ? 

DOEG 
A shepherd lad and 

SAUL 
Peace ! (to DavidJ Sing again ! 

DOEG 
My lord king, the shepherd lad hath bewitched 
you. 

DAVID 

prostrating himself 
The king ! My lord Saul ! 

SAUL 
Why have you come, all of you, to trouble my 

joy? 

DOEG 

Your people wait for you, sire, at Gibeah. 

DAVID to Jonathan 

The king ! I knew not. And you are the 
prince Jonathan. 

JONATHAN 
Yes, he is the king, my father, and you have 
brought him peace. 

[29] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID to MiCHAL I 

And you are SauPs daughter ! The king^s 
daughter ! ; 

MICHAL 
Only Michal. 

DAVID enraptured j 

Michal, Michal. 

t: 

DOEG i 

My lord, the army waits before the gates of i 

Gibeah. i 

i 
SAUL I 

Come, come, I have delayed too long. 

I 
MICHAL I 

lingering to David ' 

Shall I not also know your name ? 

DAVID I 

I am David of Bethlehem. I 

I 
MICHAL I 

You shall be known as David, the sweet singer. ilij 

I 
SAUL 

My lad, remember that Saul the king is your 

friend. 

[30] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

JONATHAN 
And Jonathan also, until my life's end. 
They clasp hands. Exeunt S e r, Jonathan and 

MiCHAL. 

DOEG 

as he goes out with Saul 
All this for a herd-boy, a smooth-faced tender 
of sheep ! 

DAVID 
How beautiful is the king's daughter! She is 
like morning upon the hills. 

He rearranges the fragments in his basket. 

Supper with a king and song with a, king's daugh- 
ter, with Michal ! Talcing his harp. Happy 
harp ! She has sung to the sound of your 
strings. I wish also that she had eaten from 
this loaf. 

He holds the loaf in both hands longingly. Enter 
Michal from e. David drops the loaf with a 
start. 

MICHAL shyly 

I have lost my — ring. I twirled it thus between 
my fingers and it — fell. 
[31] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

JONATHAN 

appearing a^ ^ e r 
Do you find it, Michal ? 



MICHAL 

JONATHAN 

MICHAL 

DAVID 



Not yet. 

I will help you. 

No, no. 

I will help her. | 

MICHAL pointing l 

Jonathan, please look for it there, beneath the 
terebinth-tree. I 

JONATHAN going out l ; 

Over here ? ; 

MICHAL j 

Further off, still further. Yes. j 

David loohs for the ring while Michal looks for \ 

it also, glancing shyly up at him from time to j 
time, 

DAVID 
I am sorry. I do not find it. 

MICHAL 

Why, here it is, slipped within this plaiting of | 
my robe. 

[32] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

DAVID 

Where ? 

He goes to her and they stand very close, looking 

at the ring. 

MICHAL 
Now I suppose I must go. 

DAVID 

Would you not like a — drink of water ? 

MICHAL 
Yes, I think so. Indeed, I am very thirsty. 

DAVID drawing water 

I will draw you some. 

MICHAL watching 

How well you do that, how wondei-ful I 

DAVID 

It is not difficult. 

MICHAL 
Let me. 

David hands her the rope to let down into the 
well, 

MICHAL 
as she lets the vessel drop too suddenly 
Alack, what have I done ? 
Both laugh. 

[33] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
Here is enough. 
He pours water into a hoivl and hands it to her. 

MICHAL 

after she has drunk 
And you ? 

David takes it, turns it to the same place where 
she had sipped, then, smiling at her, drinks. He 
holds the cup in his hand till after Michal's de- 
parture. 

Jonathan's voice 

Michal, Michal ! 

MICHAL 
I must go. 

DAVID 

And I shall see you no more ! 

MICHAL 
Shall see me no more ! 

Jonathan's voice nearer 

Michal ! 

MICHAL 
I come, I come. 
Jonathan appears at l 
Farewell, David. 

[34] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

JONATHAN 
Farewell, David, and we shall surely meet again. 

DAVID 
God be with you ! 

Exeunt 2 e r, Jonathan and Michal. David 
looks at the cup, which he still holds in his hands. 
Cup of my joy which the lips of the princess have 
touched. 

He dashes the cup to the ground. 
Her lips shall be the last that have touched your 
brim. 

Singing. 

The king shall joy in my strength, 

How greatly shall he rejoice ! 

Thou hast given me my heart's desire, 

The request of my lips thou hast not withholden. 

Enter e l, Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah — David's 
three brothers. Eliab, a great hulk of humanity^ 
huge-voiced and shaggy -maned. Abinadab, a 
loose-limbed, stalking scout., with long-Jingered ac- 
tive hands. Shammah., a square-built son of the 
soil, with a wide mouth open to easy mirth. He is 
incongruously decked in gauds. 

[35] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID singing 

On my head thou settest a crown of pure gold, 
And makest me blest forever. 

ELIAB vociferously 

Dreamer, awake ! 

ABINADAB 
Prater of gold crowns. 

DAVID springing up 

My brothers ! 

ELIAB 

Well may you cry ! Is it thus that you watch 
for your brothers ? 

ABINADAB 

as David greets him affectionately 
I had rather your cakes than your embraces. 

SHAMMAH 
Spread your mantle on the herbage, David, so 
that I soil not my fine trappings. 

ELIAB 

Are we not brave brothers for you ? The Amal- 

ekites fled before us like chaff" before the 
wind. 

[36] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

He seizes David with rough jocularity to over- 
throw him in illustration of his meaning, but 
David withstands him. 

Even so they toppled ! 

ABINADAB 
Even so they withstood you ! 

ELIAB 

drinking a bottle of milk 
Even so they vanished! 

ABINADAB 
Your fingers are fitter for the potter's wheel than 
for the use of weapons, EHab. 

SHAMMAH 
You have not provided for a babe, David. Is 
this meat for the appetite of a soldier ? 

DAVID 
My lord the king hath supped with me. There- 
fore I have not more for you. 

SHAMMAH 
Star-gazer! You have been no nearer the king 
than you are to wearing this robe of mine. 
Care! Soil it not with your foot, herd-boy! 
[37] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

ABINADAB 
I shrewdly surmise that you yourself are the king 
with your dream-crown of pure gold upon 
your head that have emptied this basket 
before our coming. 

ELIAB 

as they all rise to go 

Stay here then, little brother, and sing by the 
water-courses. We go to follow the real 
king. Some time I will send for you and 
perhaps you may be my armor-bearer. 

SHAMMAH 
In time you may be like unto us. Come, 
brothers. 

As they start on their way 1 e r they are met by 
Jesse, his wife and a servant, coming from Bethle- 
hem. 

JESSE 

as they greet each other 

My sons, a solemn message has brought me hither. 
The prophet Samuel has sent for you to meet 
you in these hills apart. 
[38] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

SHAM M AH to David 

What are you waiting for, olive-branch ? Run to 
your caves and thistles. 

DAVID^S MOTHER 
Farewell, beloved. 

DAVID 
Farewell, mother. Farewell all. I am off to my 
sheep-tower. 

Exit David e l 

JESSE 
The elders come. 

Enter one by one three patriarchs^ pacing in studied 
solemnity. Greetings are exchanged. 

FIRST ELDER 
I much misdoubt me some calamity overhangs. 

SECOND ELDER 
The Philistines, perhaps, have stolen the Urim 
and Thummim. 

THIRD ELDER 
It is well that we are called. Samuel hath re- 
spect to our wisdom. 
[39] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

JESSE 
Who can say ? But lo, he comes ! 
Enter Samuel e l and a servant, bearing a cruse 
of oil. All rise and bow low. 

JESSE 
Welcome, thou man of God. 

SAMUEL 
Jehovah be with you. 

ALL 

And with you. 

SAMUEL 
Are your sons all here ? 

JESSE 
They are all here. 

DAVID^S MOTHER 
There remains yet the youngest and he keeps the 
sheep. 

SAMUEL 
Send and fetch him, for we will wait till he come 

hither. 
Servant is despatched, e l 

FIRST ELDER 
What would he with his cruse of oil ? 

[40] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

SECOND ELDER 
Shall a new prophet be set over us ? 

THIRD ELDER 
Or a new king ? 

SAMUEL 
Let your sons pass before me. 

ELIAB 
Lo, I am the eldest. 

ABINADAB 
I am before you as Saul's standard-bearer. 

SAMUEL 
In time of peace I am come to sacrifice unto Je- 
hovah and to anoint His elect unto His 
chosen office. 

JESSE 
A prophet, a priest.'' Not a new king over Is- 
rael ? 

SAMUEL 
Jehovah will disclose His will when the time is 

ripe. Let them stand before me. 
The three sons stand before Samuel in turny each 
with characteristic expression and attitude. Be- 
fore eachy after earnestly looking, Samuel hows his 

[41] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

head in disappointment. The elders earnestly 
copy each gesture of the prophet Samuel. 

. SAMUEL 
Has your youngest son not yet come ? 

ELIAB 
The stripling, the smooth-faced! 

ABINADAB 
Out of the mouths of babes and suckHngs ! 

SHAMMAH 
With the sheep-skin on his shoulder and the flute 

to his mouth ! 
David enters e l, running^ his harp^ twined with 
anemones, in his hand. 

DAVID^S MOTHER 
Beloved ! 

DAVID saluting 

I have come fleet-foot from the sheep-folds. My 
mother! My father! 

SAMUEL 

Samuel, speaking apart with David's mother, 

David is set apart for the kingship, but Jehovah 

reveals it not to him nor to Israel till the 

time be come. David, my son, hither! 

[42] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

David approaches Samuel and bows before him 
as the prophet anoints his head with oil. 
He is now the anointed of Jehovah. 

DAVID 

My cup runs over! Leave us together alone, I 
pray you. 

Exeunt by r all but Samuel, David, and his 

mother. 

SAMUEL to David's mother 

You are his mother. Stay by us. To David. 
The voice of Jehovah speaketh through me 
unto you. Hearken. You shall deliver the 
land, you, David, from the hand of the Phil- 
istines and from the hand of all the heathen. 
The vision of the Lord be upon you. 

The spirit of God descends upon David. After 

a period of silence he speaks, but as if to himself 

alone. 

DAVID 

Lo, I see a house made desolate. 

A voice of weeping and a voice of lamentation, 

A strong man bowed down. 

SAMUEL to himself 

The Vision of the House of Saul ! 

[43] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID wrapt in his vision 
A lion is come up from his thicket. 
He is gone forth from his place to make the land 
desolate. 

SAMUEL 
A Vision of the Strife between Saul and David. 

DAVID 
I go down to the potter's house and, behold, he 

worketh a work on the wheels; 
The vessel he maketh of clay is marred in the 

hands of the potter. 
He breaketh it on the floor that it falleth into bits. 

SAMUEL 
A Vision of the Sin of Saul. 

DAVID 
He maketh again another vessel as seemeth good 

to the potter; 
Oh, people of Israel, cannot I do with you as this 

potter ? 
Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are 

ye in my hand. 
Even a full wind comes now unto me, 
I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, 

O my soul, 

[44] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

The sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. 
The priests shall be astonished and the prophets 

shall wonder. 
Behold, he cometh up as clouds and his chariots 

are as a whirlwind. 
His horses are swifter than eagles. 
Salvation cometh from the hills and from the 

multitude of mountains. 

SAMUEL 
A Vision of the Victory of David. 

DAVID 

with a relapse to infinite sadness 

Oh, that thou hadst hearkened to His command- 
ments ! 

Then had thy peace been as a river and thy right- 
eousness as the waves of the sea. 

Thou art carried into a far country: 

Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter. 

Take the mill-stones and grind meal. 

Sit thee silent and get thee into darkness, 

For thou shalt no more be called the Lady of 
Kingdoms ! 

David slowly awakens from his trance. 

[45] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

SAMUEL 
A Vision of the Long Captivity. As in a glass he 
sees the future darkly. 

DAVID^S MOTHER 
Beloved, what have you seen ? 
Did you see the vision of yourself ? Did you see 
the victor's face ? 

DAVID 
Myself I saw not, nor any man whose face I know. 
But kings and princes saw I and they bowed 
before a shepherd-lad. 
Amasa and Asahel enter hurriedly from 2 e r. 
They salute. 

ASAHEL 
Huzza, huzza! A messenger from the king. 

Enter 1 e r the three brothers. 

AMASA 
Good news ! A messenger from the king ! 

SHAMMAH 
The king will appoint me his body-guard. 

ELIAB 
I to be Captain over a hundred. 

Enter 2 e r, Doeg, bowing ironically to all. 
[46] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

DOEG 

Is there here a son of Jesse ? The three brothers 

push forward. By the name of David ? 

DAVID 
It is I. 

DOEG 
Who keeps the sheep ? 

DAVID 
It is I. 

DOEG 
The king summons you to his palace at Gibeah. 

DAVID^S MOTHER 
Beloved, already your future dawns brightly. 

DAVID 

I know not. If it be greatness to serve my king, 
to win the friendship of the king's son, of the 
king's daughter, then am I called to great- 
ness. I ask no more. 

He waves his hand in exultant farewell. 

To the king — the king. 

Curtain 



[47] 



ACT II 

Scene I : The Summer Garden at Gibeah : A 
Syrian garden^ springtime, with blush of almond- 
trees on hill-slopes and one hurst of bloom above 
a rustic seat, c. A path leads away through roses 
and lilies, 1 e r. 2 e r conducts to the camp of 
Philistia. On the l is shown the facade of Saul's 
palace, low, delicate in color, with elaborately scidp- 
tured windows and doors. 1 e l leads to Gibeah, 
behind the palace. A door^ 2 e l, enters the 
palace. 

On the seat are gay patterns in embroidery, thrown 
down in the merry melee of Saul's idle courtiers. 
Seated on the sward are a group of Tnerrymakers, 
Merab, Adriel, and others, men and maidens, six 
or eight. Two black serving-maids with fans, fol- 
low their mistresses, fanning them. Eleazer, an 
old gardener, gnarled of figure, hindly and winter- 
apple of face, putters in the garden, upstage. 
The curtain rises on a whirl of chatter. 

[48] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

MERAB 
Listen, have ye all heard the news ? 

ALL 

What, what ? 

MERAB 
We have a new darling amongst us. 

ALL 

Who? 

MERAB 

King Saul has caught on the hills a shepherd lad, 
a wild herdsboy. 

ADRIEL 
Who knows nothing but to feed sheep. 

MERAB 
And to sing ! Oh, ye should hear him warble. 
She laughs. 

ADRIEL 
Have you heard him ? 

MERAB laughing 

At his window in the early morning. " A psalm 
to my black ewe ! " "Ditty to the crook- 
horned ram ! '' 
All laugh. 

[49] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

ADRIEL 
It was the fancy of Saul to send for him and lo ! 
Saul has not yet given him audience. Such 
is the black humor of the king. 

MERAB clapping her hands 
I have it, I have it ! 

ALL 
Who, what ? 

ELEAZER 

drawing near, with a crooked, stooping gait 

Have you caught a hornet. Princess Merab ? 

They do have slender waists, the hornets, 

but a sting at t'other end, terrific. There 

be drawbacks to everything. 

All laugh. 

MERAB 

Not a hornet, but an idea has stung me. 

ELEAZER moving away 

They do be troublesome as hornets some years 
and a deal harder to kill. 

MERAB 
Let us hold mock court here and summon this 
David, this shepherd man. 
[50] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

A MAIDEN 
Is that his name, David, David ? 

A MAN 
'Tis a curious name, an odd conceit, to title a 

man so, David, David ! 
All repeat the name drolly. 

ALL 

David ! David ! 

ADRIEL rising" 

We shall have rare sport with this unlettered 

clo^vn. 
All rise and huddle around Merab and Adriel. 

MERAB 

Bithiah shall be queen. 

They seat the black maid on the rustic bench and 

crown her with leaves. 

ADRIEL 
Lu, she k.black but comelyr 

MERAB 

Who shall be our king ? 

VOICES 
1,1! 

[51] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

ADMEL 
Let us fetch Hurai, the chief cook. He is of a 

lordly stomach. 
A young man goes off^ running, 1 e l. 

ADRIEL 
There shall be footmen at the steps of the throne. 
Hither, Eleazer, to us ! 

ALL 

Eleazer ! Good, good ! 

Eleazer throws aside a weed he has just up- 
rooted. 

ELEAZER 
I cannot come to ye. I am busy with these other 
weeds. 

MERAB 
to a young man, cajolingly 
Serve us as a footman for the nonce ! 

ADRIEL to a maiden 

You, also, shall attend the throne. 
The maiden and young man, amid laughter, are 
seated on cushions helow the bench. 

MERAB 
Now let one go for David and we shall watch his 
manner of behavior. 

[52] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

Young man goes off i^unning, 2 e l. First 
young man returns 1 e l, with Hurai, a fat and 
pompous person ivho resents their fun at his ex- 
pense, 

ADRIEL 

Let us have his apron off. 

MERAB 
No, no. What does David know of the attire of 

palace servants ? It will be to him as a 

robe of state. We will put your mantle on 

Hurai above the cook's apron. 
Adriel's gorgeous robe is put on Hurai and he 
is seated on the bench beside Bithiah, to the daze- 
ment and discomfort of them both. General chat- 
ter. 

ADRIEL 
Silence. David comes. I will be spokesman. 
Enter, 2 e l, David a7id the young man. 
David, the time being ripe, the king sends for 

you. 
He points to Hurai and Bithiah. 
Our gracious queen also will greet you. Do them 

obeisance. 
As David calmly meets their eyes their tittering 
mirth changes to admiration at his bearing. 

[53] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MAIDEN 
Indeed, he is no unlettered clown. 

MERAB 

Will you not kneel before our queen ? 
David kneels before Merab. All laugh, 

DAVID 
O Queen of Merrymakers, I salute you. 
He kisses her hand. 
But the king I see not. 
Eleazer appears around the garden path. 
David perceives him, goes to him and hows. 
King of the garden, good son of our old father 
Adam, you are the finest gentleman of us all. 
There is a laugh at Adriel"'s expense and applause 
for David. E7iter, from the palace, 2 e l, 
MiCHAL. She pauses, surveying the group curi- 
ously. 

MERAB 
Well spoken, David. You have found a king 
among us, but who is your queen, queen of 
your heart ? 
David looks about, sees Michal. She comes for- 
ward, her eyes upon him. 

[54] 



ACTTWOrSCENEONE j 

ADRIEL I 
Among the hills, perhaps, you have a lass ? 

DAVID ) 

slowly and significantly j 

Among the hills I had a lass. I was a prince i 

there. j 

ALL surprised \ 

A prince ? i 

DAVID 

Free as the wind, who roameth wherever he list- ; 

eth. Free to wander, to sing, to love, prince \ 

of hill and dale. In the palace of King Saul, i 

I am his harp-player. A harp-player may ; 

not look upon a king's daughter. I have no j 

lass here. f 
MiCHAL sighs deeply and moves away among the 

trees, c. Abui^i. follows her. I 

ADRIEL 1 

Wherefore that deep sigh, little maiden ? i 

MICHAL i 
A sigh ? I do not know wherefore I sighed. 

Of all the courtiers David alone observes the ap~ \ 
proach o/*King Saul. 

[55] i 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
The King, the King ! 

Saul and Jonathan enter, wrapt in deep con- 
verse, and come suddenly upon the careless confu- 
sion of the garden-idlers. 

SAUL 
Humiliation upon humiliation, disgrace upon dis- 
grace ! And now comes a challenge from 
Goliath, giant son of Anakim. And not 
one of our people stands forth to answer. 
He frowns upon the merry group. 
What here ? 

BiTHiAH and Hurai, apprehensive, tumble down 
from the improvised throne. Their action attracts 
the attention of the others, who then shrink away 
from Saul, in habitual fear of his black look. 

SAUL 
Out! Dawdlers! While Israel perishes, ye 

wanton the time. Begone ! 
All scatter r and l but David, Jonathan, Michal, 
and Merab. 
Who is yon lad ? 

DAVID 
My lord, I am David, son of Jesse. 

[ 66 ] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

Merab languidly goes to the bench and picks up 
her embroidery, 

SAUL blankly 

David, son of Jesse. 

DAVID 
My lord, I played the harp for you by the well 

of Bethlehem. 

SAUL 
The harp-player ! I remember. The shepherd lad 

with his brave and simple heart. I remember. 
His face lightens. 

You are loyal yet, in this mob of seekers ? Come 
with me, lad, to my chamber. 
David follows Saul. Michal stands musingly^ 
toying with a white rose which she has taken from 
her hair. She is between David and the door of 
the palace. As David approaches, she moves 
slightly, but as if accidentally, to stand between him 
and the door. He bows and would pass, awaiting. 
She drops the rose, looking at him and then down 
to her fallen rose. He glances at the rose and then 
at her. Meanwhile, Saul and Jonathan have dis- 
appeared, 2 E L. 

DAVID gravely 

Princess, your father awaits me. 

[57] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAL 
David, I have dropped a rose. 
David pichs up the Jlower and hands it to her. 
She does not take it, but looks at it, while he stead- 
ily offers it. She receives it, speaking. 
Have you forgotten ? Though my father forgets, 
his daughter remembers ! 

DAVID 

What do you remember ? 

MICHAL 
I remember your kindness to — my father. And 
you? 

DAVID 
I have forgotten nothing. But also I remember 
that you — are a king's daughter and I — a 
harp-player at the king's footstool. 
Exit David, 2 e. l. Michal stands doubtfully, 
the rose in her hand, then, with a passionate gesture 
of disappointment, throws it to the ground. 

MERAB 

Are you angry with the rose ? 

MICHAL 
It does not please me. 

[58] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

MERAE 
Come sit by me and let us finish our patterns. 
MiCHAL goes to her, the?/ sit side hy side on the 
bench. Michal takes from Merab mechanically 
the various articles of their handicraft. 

MICHAL intensely 

Merab, how should the love of a man be won ? 

MERAB surprised 

How should I know, child ? 

MICHAL 
You are wedded to Adriel and you should know. 

MERAB 
It was he won my love, not I his. But still, me- 
thinks I can discourse to you of the win- 
ning of man's love. Let him stand on the 
Threshold of Trembling. Give him first to 
drink the Cup of Surrender and then the Cup 
of Fear. He must never be sated. So may 
man's love be kept. 

MICHAL 
That is the keeping of man's love. But the get- 
ting ? 

[69] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MERAB 
Ah, ask me not in riddles. This I know. When 
the huntsman has bagged one bird, then 
must he go hunting again. 

MICHAL 

Go hunting again ! 

MERAB 

Listen, sister. A woman's nature is to be shy 
and wild. The wild bird does not flutter 
her wings in the hunter's very face. 

MICHAL 
Merab, have I done that? Have I fluttered my 
wings in his very face ? 

MERAB 

with peals of amusement 
Your wings ? In his very face ? Whose face ? 

MICHAL in rosy shame 

Hush ! Oh, hush ! 

MERAB 

suddenly calming herself to read michal's face 
I know, I know. It is David, the shepherd, the 
harp-player from the hills. Oh, you little 
[60] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

foolish one. You that have sworn to love 
only a man of war, a son of many battles. 
Merab rises, laughing, and goes toward l. 

MICHAL 

I swear that he could swing a sword with any of 
your swaggering courtiers. 

MERAB laughing 

Not he, with those musical fingers. Tweedle-dee- 

dee. 
Exit Merab, 2 e l. 

MiCHAL hows her head on the hack of the hench 
and is seen to he weeping. Enter hy garden-path, 
1 e R, Eleazer. 

MICHAL 

I love him and — he must not know it, for — if he 
knows it, he will go hunting again. But I 
have told him already by the look of my 
eyes. It was too soon, too soon. 

ELEAZER comfortingly 

ELEAZER 
Have you seen my almond-trees, Lady Michal ? 
They are burst out into bloom this morn- 
ing, most glorious. 

[61] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MIC HAL to herself 

It was too soon, too soon. 

ELEAZER 

Yes, lady. When the almond-trees blossom too 
soon, there 'uU be a flood of rain, come fruit- 
time. There's no good thing but there's a 
drawback. There's a drawback to every- 
thing. 

Enter, 2 e l, David. Eleazer beckons to him 

with a kindly tivinkle. 

She is heavy-hearted these days, master, terrible 
heavy-hearted, sir. 

Eleazer hobbles up stage, his back to them. 

David looks at Michal, whose face is turned from 

him. He sees also the rose on the ground, picks it 

up stealthily, kisses it and puts it in his bosom. 

Michal suddenly raises her head and sees the 

stealthy motion of his hand. 

MICHAL sharply 

What are you doing ? 

DAVID 
I am putting away a memory. 

MICHAL bitterly 

A token from some hill-girl. 

[ 62 ] • 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

DAVID 

Mayhap this is true. 

Ahinoam opens the door of the palace and calls. 

AHINOAM 
Daughter ! 

MICHAL 

Yes, mother, I am working the pattern. 
She hastily takes up her embroidery, 

AHINOAM 
Do not stay too long in the garden. 

MICHAL 
I am waiting to — speak to — someone. 
Exit Ahinoam, 2 e l. 

DAVID 
Did you wish to — speak with someone else, Lady 
Michal ? 

MICHAL hesitating 

Yes, I wished, I wish 

Eleazer comes in sight down the path. 
I wish to speak with Eleazer. 

ELEAZER 

rubbing his chin humorously 
Don''t waste sweet words on the likes of me, Lady 
Michal. 

[63] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAL 

would-be haughtily 
I wished to ask you, Eleazer — to say, it looks like 
clear weather to-morrow. 

ELEAZER 

with great enthusiasm 

It do so, Lady Michal, and that puts me in mind 
of my herbs for Hurai. Walking away^ r. 
There is never a drawback to leaving two 
lovers alone. 

Exit Eleazer, 1 e r. 

DAVID 

May I sit beside you for a moment, Michal ? 

Michal moves to make room for him on the bench, 

MICHAL 

As you please. 

David, to her disappointment^ seats himself on the 

grass, 

DAVID 
It is as you please, Michal. I fear I do not 
please you. 

MICHAL 
Do you wish to please me ? 

DAVID 

Lady Michal 

[64] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

MICHAL 
Do not call me so. I am a girl, younger than 
you. 

DAVID 
You seem a child, but I must remember that you 
are a king's daughter. 

MICHAL 
I would that you might forget. 

DAVID deeply 

Ah, Michal, I would that I might forget ! 
A pause of embarrassment between them. 
Let us speak of other things, Michal. How do 
the days fare with you ? 

MICHAL 
I must study and I must read. This morning the 
rabbi read with me. 

DAVID 

What was the lesson ? 

An undercurrent of tenderness runs through their 

talk. 

MICHAL 
It was of — suddenly diffident — I have forgotten 
the theme. 

[65] 



■i 

DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID \ 

made eager by her shyness. \ 

You have not forgotten so soon ? Of our first i 

fether ? \ 

MICHAL ! 

No. ] 

DAVID \ 

Of Pharaoh and the Red Sea ? ! 

MICHAL \ 

Ah, more interesting than that. I mean — it was 

of a man and a — woman. \ 

\ 

DAVID \ 

Who loved each other ? i 

i 

MICHAL 

Of Rachel and how her lover served for her. ' 

DAVID \ 

He served for her seven years and it seemed but a \ 
day because of the love he bare her. That 

is how a man may love. \ 

MICHAL musingly \ 

Seven years she waited for him. That was a \ 

woman''s love. ] 

[66] \ 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

DAVID 
Michal, would you wait for a lover so many 
years ? 

MICHAL 
Ah, I should not wish to — wait so long. 

DAVID 
Woman's love is like the wind. 

MICHAL 

Nay, think of the love between Ruth and Naomi. 

DAVID quoting 

For zvhither thou goest I will go and whither thou 
lodgest I will lodge 

MICHAL 
Thy people shall he my people, and thy God my 
God. 

DAVID 
They were two women, Michal, who loved one an- 
other so. 

MICHAL 
Nay, but the love of woman to man is deeper yet. 

DAVID leaning to her 

Say you so, Michal ? 

MICHAL 

My heart says so. 

[67] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID impassioned 

I would serve seven years, ay, twice seven years, 
to win the woman I love. And you, Michal, 
would you give me hope ? 

MICHAL 
No, no. 

DAVID 

No hope ? 

He rises and Michal also. 

MICHAL 
I should not ask you to serve for — me seven years, 

David. 

DAVID turning away 

I have soared too high. 

MICHAL 
I had rather be happy — now! 
David looks hack at her, reads her face. 

DAVID 

You ? 

MICHAL 
Yes, David. 

DAVID 
Michal! 

He is about to take her to his arms, when a noise 
and stir of people comes from the r. 

[68] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

MICHAL 
Listen, David. 
Saul and Ahinoam enter, 2 e l. 

SAUL 
What tumult is this ? 

DAVID going to l to look 
My lord, the people swarm to our gates. 
Enter, r and l, a hurly-hurly of people, preceded 
from the r by Saph, a tall Philistine of insolent de- 
meanor, with a body-guard of two. There are 
townspeople and laboring folk from their daily oc- 
cupation. Eliab with his roughly moidded vessel 
on his head, a weaver with his balls of ivool, a Tnil- 
ler, his clothes dusty with meal. From the palace 
come Merab, Phaltiel, an apish-looking man of 
ignoble bearing, Doeg, crafty and sullen, Jona- 
than and others. 

SAUL to Saph 

What is your message ? 

SAPH 

in loud and insolent tones 

A message from Philistia, defiance from Philistia 

and from Goliath, her champion. Who of ye 

will meet him in battle ? Ye children of the 

[69] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

jackals, striped barley-eaters, slaves of the 

hill -god Yahweh! 
As Saph speaks the people edge away from him ab- 
jectly , hut David pushes forward in indignation. 

SAUL 
Who speaks to offer himself as champion for his 
people ? 

SAPH 
By the wooden feet of Dagon, ye are silent. Al- 
mighty is Dagon, god of Philistia, and great is 
Goliath, their champion. 
Exit, 2 E R, Saph. 

SAUL 
Ye that clamor so in times of peace, in peril your 
tongues are still. 

DOEG 
after conferring with Phaltiel 
If it please my lord, the king, to offer largess 

SAUL 
To the victor any reward, even the hand of the 
king's daughter. 
Michal's and David's looks, as by a common 
thought, are drawn together. Doeg pushes Phal- 
tiel forward. He elbows back with a bleating 
laugh. 

[70] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

DAVID 

My lord, your servant will go and fight with this 
Philistine. 

After the first stupefied silence, a ripple of con- 
temptuous laughter runs round the place. 

More ringingly defiant. 

My lord, your servant will go and fight this Philis- 
tine. 

The laughter is hushed at the look in David's face 

as he surveys the people. 

SAUL 

Here, indeed, among all the craven host of Israel, 
is a heart undaunted. David, you shall in- 
deed go, but how shall you prevail, a young 
man, unused to the weight of armor .^ 
DAVID 

My lord, I have contended with the lion in his 
wilderness and my hand did not fail. 
Neither shall I fail in this endeavor. 

Looking upward as if in prayer. 

My times are in Thy hand ! 

SAUL 

Ask what reward you will, David, my son, and ye, 
my people, be surety unto him that the re- 
ward is not denied. 

[71] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

PEOPLE 
David, David! 

DAVID 
The hand of Michal, the king's daughter! 
A murmur of surprise. Doeg pushes Phaltiel 
forward. 

PHALTIEL 
O king, remember me. 

DAVID 

Who speaks ? 

PHALTIEL 

with a bleating laugh 
Phaltiel, prince of Laish. 

DAVID 
Will you then go out against Goliath, O Phaltiel, 

prince of Laish. 
With a bleat y Phaltiel sinks back into the crowd. 

SAUL 
This reward you shall have, David, the hand of 

Michal, my daughter. 
David kneels to kiss Saul's handy rises again. 
To the people. 

All ye depart hence, and we shall presently send 
forth our champion. 

[72] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

Exeunt, r and l, all but David, Jonathan, and 

MiCHAL. 

David, in our arms you shall be clad and go forth 
like the sun for splendor. 

DAVID stretching himself 
In truth, my lord, I am unused to armor. It 

would become me ill. 
He stoops to select a stone from the path. 
I beg of you this stone from the garden of the 

princess. So, with my sling, I shall be a 

man of war in your service. 
He turns to Jonathan and they start to go, 2 e r. 

SAUL 
You would go thus unarmed ? 

DAVID 
My feet burn for the road. 
Farewell, farewell, Michal. 
Exeunt, 2 e r, David and Jonathan. 

SAUL 
A fiery youth. Jehovah speed him. Come, 

daughter. 
Exit Saul, 2 e l. Michal stands alone in the c of 
the garden. 

[73] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAL 
He has gone and Jonathan with him. He has 

gone and I am alone. 
David runs in alone, from r. He speaks breath- 
lessly, passionately. 

DAVID 
I could not leave you thus, beloved, heart's de- 
sire. 
DoEG appears, 1 e l, black and sinister, peeping 
around the bole of a tree. As David and Michal 
embrace, Doeg speaks. David takes the rose from 
his bosom, kisses it. 

DAVID 
It is your rose I wear in my bosom. It is for you 
I fight, for you, you, you ! 

DOEG aside 

She will be giving her roses to a new lover soon, 

when David is food for the dogs . Grr-grr-grr ! 

DAVID 
Fare you well, God be with you. 

MICHAL 

Ah, wait, wait! My heart bursts within me. 
How will you go without sword or shield, how 
[74] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

will you slay Goliath, the giant of the Philis- 
tines ? 
David handles his sling for action, aiming at Doeg 
hy the hole of the tree. He shoots from his sling 
and almost instantaneously comes a cry of pain 
from Doeg. With his hand to his ear, Doeg dis- 
appears, 1 E L. MiCHAL has turned to look. 

DAVID 

still in the vigorous attitude of a slinger 
Even as my stone stung the ear of yon eaves- 
dropper, so will the pebble pierce the heart of 
Goliath. 

Curtain. 

The curtain rises and discovers Michal alone in 
the garden. The light is dim as at twilight and 
grows gradually dimmer. Michal prays: 

MICHAL 
O Thou, grant me to know the end! Send me 
a vision, a dream ! 

Dark Change 

As it gradually lightens, the field of Ephes-Dammim 
is disclosed where the combat is to take place. The 

[75] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

gorge of the brook runs through the c. On either 
side are the opposing armies, the Israelites in 
glitter of armor, their arms upflung as in joyous 
acclaim. The Philistines with heads drooped 
and faces turned for retreat. The central figure 
in their midst is David, on a knoll above the 
fallen body of Goliath. The drawn sword is in 
his hand, but his face is uplifted to heaven in 
thanksgiving. 

Curtain 

end of scene i 



[76] 



ACT II 

Scene II: The Witch of Endor's Hut on 
THE ROAD TO GiBEAH. A low and sordid room^ 
scantily furnished. Night and a storm. A fire 
blazing, l c. A kettle on the hearth. Hooks in 
the wall to one side of the fire. Dried herbs hung 
from the ceiling. Human and animal skulls 
grinning on the walls. A low table, c, with a 
candle lighted. Behind it a bench with large feet in 
the similitude of spiders. A stool by the fireplace. 
Shuttered window, c. Down-stage, r, a small door 
opens to an inner chamber. 

Discovered, the Witch of Endor, an old gaunt 
woman, wicked of eye and sharp-lipped, bending 
over the fireplace. She thrusts her chin forward 
when she speaks, has a thin, rasping voice that, 
when she is moved, rings deep and thrilling. The 
storm howls. 

WITCH 

poking the fire with a stick 
How the fire sputters ! Burn, burn, burn ! 

[77] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

A pause. 

'Tis the black wind outside that brings the fire 
disease. It frets. Ooo-oh, oo-oh! Sputter, 
sputter, sputter! Ah, an ill night for man 
to be abroad, but he will come to-night. I 
shall hold him like a rat in a trap. Nibble, 
nibble ! Is the bait toothsome, O Saul ? 

She goes to the window y opens the shutter and peers 

out. 

How it howls, as if all the wolves of Lebanon were 
forth. Ooo-oh, oo-oh! 

She listens sharply. A knock comes at the door. 

The window or the door ? 

Knock is repeated. 

Knock, then, to your heart's content. There are 

only two who enter t^is eve, the slain and 
the slayer. Ha-ha. 
Knock and voice. 

DAVID 
I pray you, open the door. 

WITCH 
A pleasant voice, by my body. 

DAVID 
Good neighbor! 

[78] 



ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 

WITCH 
What d'ye want ? 

DAVID 
Shelter from the storm. 

WITCH 
Who are you, in the name of Beelzebub ? 

DAVID 
A pilgrim and a stranger. 

WITCH 
What do you this hour of the night ? 

DAVID 
I am eager on the road to — my dear. 

WITCH 
He runs after a girl. He will do nobody harm. 

She unbolts the door and opens it. 

In with you, then, in Beelzebub's name. 

Enter David wety stormheaten^ weary. 

DAVID 
I thank you, good dame and neighbor. 

WITCH 
Men do not call me good dame, nor am I your 
neighbor. 

['i'9] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
He is my neighbor who is my friend. 

WITCH 
You are over-zealous to name me friend when I 
kept you standing in the weather. 

DAVID 

throwing off his wet cloak 
Lo, I am within. You give me roof and shelter. 
You are my friend and I yours. 

WITCH 
By the idols of Egypt, I like you full well. Draw 

up here to my fire. 
She hangs up the cloak on the nails hy the fire. 
Tell me your story — an you tell me not true, you 

shall fare ill, for I read the souls of men. 
David seats himself on the stool hy the fire. The 
Witch behind him watches, her fingers at the knife 
which is half concealed in her bosom. 

DAVID 
It is hospitable to give ear to the traveller's tale, 
in so far as he pleases to speak, but further 
to force him, that is no hospitality. 

WITCH 
I like you better. Speak on. 

[80] 



ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 

DAVID 
I come from the camp at Ephes-Dammim 

WITCH 
Ha, you are deserter, a hater of Saul ! 

DAVID 
Nay, I am not deserter, for I fought not with 
the army at Ephes-Dammim. Yet at Ephes- 
Dammim I fought and am now flying thence, 
hurriedly at night, to Gibeah. 

WITCH 
You speak like a wise man, in riddles. Say, 
what of the giant Goliath and of the Boaster, 
one David, who swore to slay him ? 

DAVID 
It is because of that David I am here to-night. 

WITCH 
You are of us, I see, a hater of the mad king and 
his upstart herdling. You shall have a hand 
in the enterprise this night. 

DAVID 

his hand upon his sword 
I am ready for the enterprise. 
The Witch moves about the room apprehensively y 

[81] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

casting suspicious glances at David. She fancies 
a sound at the door and listens. 
Do you await another traveller ? 

WITCH 
It is of him I would tell you. Ay, one of the 
mighty. 

DAVID 
Strange houses he visits and strange hours he 

takes ! 
The Witch springs at his throat with her knife but 
David, watchful, stays her. 

WITCH 
Not stranger than you, spy, spy! 
David turns the knife in her hand till she screams 
with pain and drops it. 

DAVID 
It is not the good and innocent who have dread of 

spies. 
He holds her by the wrists while she cowers before 
him. 

WITCH 
Ah, my lord, my lord, have pity on me and help 
me. I feared you as I fear all men. For 
whatever befalls I am dead this night. 
[82] 



ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 

DAVID 
Speak me the truth ! 

WITCH 
I am sought this night by a great prince, one of 
the mighty, that I may predict for him the 
future, and he would find me alone. Also this 
night my son Doeg comes to me. If they 
two meet, the mighty one will slay my son 
and me also, for that I have betrayed him, 
for he would not have it known that he 
traffics with me. Yet if I deny Doeg my 
son, Doeg my son will return to slay me, for 
he is a man of wrath. 

DAVID 

What is my part ? 

WITCH 

Keep you the door against my son. Defend it 
with your sword, that he enter not. After- 
ward, you shall have of the gold that I get, 
a goodly portion. 

DAVID 

What of that mighty prince when he beholds me ? 
Will he not think you have betrayed him into 
my hands ? 

[83] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

WITCH 
You are a youth and Doeg a bearded man, known 
to all Benjamin. I will clothe you as my ser- 
vant and you can feign sleep upon this bench. 
Do you understand ? 

DAVID seizing her 

The prince that visits the — Witch of Endor — 
She cowers 

is Saul, King of Israel, seeking traffic with a 
familiar spirit. Doeg comes to slay him and 
you are his accomplice. I, feigning sleep upon 
that bench, will be murdered, and conven- 
iently thrust aside. I understand. 

WITCH trembling 

Oh, lord, lord, who are you ? 

DAVID 
I am that boaster, one David. 

WITCH 
You have spoken the truth, but not wholly the 
truth. Ah, loose me, loose! Behold that 
knife upon the floor. I cannot harm you. 
I am in your hands. 
David looses her. Picks up the knife and jmts it 
in his girdle. 

[84] 



ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 

DAVID 
The truth! 

WITCH 
It is indeed Saul who comes, and Doeg who would 
slay him. But I would save my lord the 
king, if I could, yet what am I worth, an old 
woman and feeble ? 
A double knock at the door. 

WITCH 
I come, my lord. 

She hurries about the room, fetching for David 
from a chest an old cloak. 
Yes, lord, I open. To David. See nothing with 

your eyes, hear nothing with your ears. 
David stretches himself on the bench y feigning 
sleep. The Witch opens the door^ bowing deeply. 
My lord, enter the house of your humble servant. 
Enter Saul and Michal, Saul cloaked, his face 
shrouded. Michal's face veiled. 

SAUL 

Were you not ready ? 

He sees David, who seems in profound sleep, his 

face hidden in the folds of his mantle. 

Who is yonder? 

[85] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

WITCH 
Only my servant, lord, a brutish lad and asleep. 
Awake, he knows nothing. Asleep, a stone! 
She kicks David's foot. He does not move, 
breathes heavily. 
Witness, lord. 
MiCHAL lays a hand on her father* s arm. 

MICHAL 
Father, grant me a word with this woman. 
At the sound of Michal's voice, David starts, half 
raises his head, then lets it fall again. Saul and 
MiCHAL both look at him. 

WITCH 
He dreams of the plough and the ploughshare. 
He has been in the field all day. What do 
you wish, lady ? 

MICHAL 
I wish the interpretation of a dream. I dreamed 
of a field of battle and one lay slain and one 
stood above with a drawn sword. 

WITCH 

Saw you the face of the slayer or of the slain ? 

[86] 



ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 

MICHAL 
The face of the slayer was as the face of an angel, 
but the slain I could not see. 

WITCH in her deep voice 
One is thy lover who hath slain 

Yet not with stroke of sword ; 
He is a servant, yet one day 

He shall be king and lord. 

MICHAL 
I understand not the interpretation. The dream 
was a good dream ? 

WITCH 
Ay, a good dream for them as find it good, but a 
bad dream for some others. 

SAUL 
Beldame, let us to our business. 

WITCH 
What do you wish, my lord ? 

SAUL 
Show me him who shall rule after me. 

[87] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

WITCH in her deep voice 
The past is plain before mine eyes, 

Old deaths and dooms long overpast ; 
In present knowledge I am wise. 

But ah ! the future is sealed fast. 

My lord, I will call from the grave one who is 
wiser than I. 

SAUL 

You will call one from the dead ? 

The Witch opens the door, r. Bluish flames 

stream out. 

WITCH 
Come. 
Saul reluctantly follows her. 

MICHAL 
Ah, I fear, I fear ! 

The door closes behind them. Michal sits on the 
stool by the fl,re, facing down stage, her back to 
David. His head rests on the table, away from 
her. She looks curiously about the room, sees the 
cloak hung up to dry. Then turns her head to 
look at David. At the self -same moment he has 
turned to look at her. Both instantly resume their 
former positions. Michal hums uneasily and 

[88] 



ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 

moves her stool against the wall so as to have a 
rest for her head. After a few minutes and more 
cautiously, the stolen glance is repeated, to their 
mutual embarrassment. 

MICHAL angry 

I will not have it. Ill-mannered servant of an old 

sorceress! Peeper and pryer! 
David's head is again on the table as if in deep 
sleep. 

Go to sleep, then. It is the hour for sleep. 
He breathes heavily. 
Clown! Have you nothing to do but sleep and 

snore in a lady's presence ? 
David's hand falls to his side. Michal ob- 
serves it. 
That hand is not the hand of a clown. It minds 

me of David's hand, David's fingers on his 

harp. 
Singing softly to herself, she falls asleep. After a 
few minutes David rises softly, goes to her, stands 
above her lovingly, is startled when she stirs, looks 
at the door where Saul and the Witch have dis- 
appeared. He takes his cloak and places it around 
her shoulders. As he is doing so there falls from 
the pocket his sling. The rattle of this on the 

[89] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

f^oor awakens her. She sits up to find him kneel- 
ing at her feet. 

DAVID gently 

Michal, speak not, do not stir ! It is I, David. 

MICHAL 
You, David, here, a servant to the Witch of En- 
dor! 

DAVID 
This night only. I was on the road to Gibeah, to 
you. The storm and the driving rain over- 
took me. My beast was spent. 

MICHAL 
And GoUath, the combat ? 
David picks up the sling. 

DAVID 

It was victory, with this ! But hush ! We are in 

an evil place. It is not the house for you. 

MICHAL 
It was my father's wish. 

DAVID 
Alas for your father that he has communion with 
soothsayers and diviners! He is entrapped. 
[90] 



ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 

MIC HAL 
What, what? No, no. 

DAVID 
His enemies He in wait for him. 

MICHAL 
Let us warn him, let us fly! 

DAVID 
It is impossible. But fear not. I will serve you 

to the end. 
At a sound from the door, r, David quickly rolls 
over on the floor, feigning sleep. Michal closes 
her eyes. The Witch enters, r, sees them both 
asleep. Chuckles. 

WITCH 
Both feigning or both real ? 
She shrugs her shoulders. 
A witch's servant and a king's daughter! A 

pretty pair! 
She goes to the window, peers out into the night, re- 
turns, c. Shakes her fist at David's sleeping form. 
I could knife you now, but your time will come 

soon enough. 
Exit Witch, r. David springs up and feels of 
his sword. A loud knock at the door. 

[91] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID to MiCHAL 

Veil yourself. Sit quiet. 
Imitating the Witch's voice. 
Who goes there ? 

DOEG 
I, Doeg. 

DAVID stUl feigning 

Wait a little. 

DOEG 
Witch- woman, hast repented our compact? 
Open to us. 

DAVID 
To us, you say! 

DOEG 
Open or I tear down your house. 

DAVID in his own voice 
Stand back in the king's name. 
The door is battered down. David makes ready, 
holding his sword. Michal stands shrinking 
against the wall. Doeg and two m^en burst into 
the room. 

DOEG 

surveying the situation 
Three birds at a stone. The black hawk and the 
white pigeon 

[92] 



ACTTWOiSCENETWO i 

! 

He surveys David contemptuously. j 

and the upstart jackdaw. Fall to, my men. 1 

The first man that would pass David to get to I 
MiCHAL is felled at a blow. There follows a much 

severer struggle between David and the two. i 

David has one by the throat when a cry from \ 
MiCHAL warns him of Doeg's attack in the rear. 

He turns in time to save himself. Doeg at last is j 

struck down. He falls heavily. The Witch j 

opens the door and bluish flames stream out as be- \ 

fore. She sees the three prostrate figures^ David \ 

triumphant in the c, breathing hard, his forehead \ 

damp with sweat. She goes to Doeg, who lies \ 

prostrate. i 

WITCH bitterly \ 

Bravely have ye fought. A stout fighter, son of I 

mine ! i 

Doeg turns on his elbow, groans. David goes to J 

him, plants his heel on his breast, points his sword \ 

at him. ] 

I 

DOEG 

Mercy! | 

WITCH 

He is an evil one, but my only one. Spare him, ^ 

lord ! i 

[93] I 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
It is not my business to slaughter cattle. Let him 
lie. 

WITCH grovelling 

Most gracious prince ! 

DAVID 
Silence. Bring hither the king. 
The Witch hesitates. 

MICHAL 

My father, my father! No harm has befallen 
him? 

WITCH 
He waketh from deep trance. His feet fail him. 
David ofens the door, r. 

DAVID 

Saul, King of Israel, come forth. 
MiCHAL comes forward tremblingly, 

MICHAL 

1 fear, I fear she has bewitched him. 

WITCH 
Nay, he is the anointed of Israel. I durst not 
touch a hair of his head or I should be ac- 
cursed. 

[94] 



ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 

Saul comes to the door, r, his hands to his eyes, as 
if blinded by a dazzling light. The bluish flames seen 
within gradually die down No one speaks. They 
watch Saul. Michal behind David with hands 
outstretched. David in c looking compassion- 
ately at Saul. The Witch crouches at David's 
feet. 

SAUL 

in a strange voice as of one in a trance 

And the prophet spake, declaring unto me: "He 

whom thine eyes first fall upon, he it is and 

his seed shall sit upon the throne after thee. 

He whom thine eyes first fall upon ' ' 

Saul drops the mantle from before his eyes, passes 
his hand across, stands face to face with David. 
David drops to his knees. 

DAVID 
My lord king. 

SAUL 
Who and what art thou ? 

DAVID 
Knowest thou not me ? I am David, son of Jesse. 

SAUL 
He whom thine eyes first fall upon, he it is and his 
seed shall rule after thee. 
[95] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAL pleadingly 

David, whom thou hast called the sweet singer of 
Israel. 

DAVID 
My lord king! 

SAUL 
David ! And it is thou shalt sit upon my throne ? 
With fearful outburst of passion. 
Usurper, supplanter, viper that I have nourished 

in my bosom. 
He takes the dagger from his girdle and makes as 
if to stab David. Michal interposes herself, 
staying him momentarily. 

MICHAL 

Nay, father, my father, you are mad. David 
hath fought for us this night, for you and for 
me. Behold these that would have slain you. 

Saul looks about him at the dead, at David who 

still kneels, at the Witch who supports on her lap 

the head of her son. 

SAUL 

You have done this for me ? 

DAVID 
For the king and the king's daughter. 

[96] 



ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 

SAUL 

Rise up, my son. The gibbering prophet has hed 
to me, and this evil one. Yet have I also 
sinned, seeking knowledge from spirits that 
peep and mutter. 

A noise of troops heard coming. Shouts and 

huzzahs. David opens the shutters. 

DAVID 
It is the army of Israel marching from Ephes- 

Dammim. For lo, it is already morning. 
MiCHAL opens the door and the light streams in. 
The noise grows louder. 

SAUL to MiCHAL 

Yet do I fear him, because of the prophecy. 

MICHAL 
He is my betrothed 

SHOUTS 

Goliath slain. Great is David our champion. 

David, David! 
Saul goes to the door. The procession halts. 
Saul, Saul! Mighty is Saul. The PhiUstines 

have fallen. 

[97] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

SAUL 
Hearken, my people. 

The People enter the hut. They fall hachy leav- 
ing Saul and David in the c. 
This is David, the Champion of Israel, who hath 
slain Goliath, son of the Rephaim. 

PEOPLE 
Huzzah : 

SAUL 

craftily, looking at David with narrow eyes of ha- 
tred and fear. 

But to win the hand of Michal the princess he is 
not content to stop with a little, but is zeal- 
ous for larger victory. Is it not so, my son 
David .? 
Satjl turns to David, a grim smile on his face. 

DAVID 
I will accomplish to the uttermost for her sake, 
my lord. 

MICHAL 
Behold, my father, he has done already — enough ! 
Saul does not heed her. 

SAUL 

For her sake then, and for mine whom he loves so 
well, he will sally into the country of the 
[98] 



ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 

Philistines, utterly to abolish our ancient foe. 
He will take of them twenty towns, their 
captains and their young men, and their ban- 
ners will he bring back to Saul, his king. 

Again he smiles grimly at David. 

Is it not so, my son David ? 

DAVID 
It is as you will, lord king. 

SAUL 
It is my will, and Michal's also. 
He takes her arm sternly. She bows her head in 
assent, 

DAVID 
So be it, O Saul ! 

His enthusiasm rises. 

I will conquer your foe and they shall be even as 

these are, dead at your feet, O king. 
He seizes a banner from a standard-bearer and 
raises it aloft. 
Against the Philistines! The banner of David! 

Who with me ? 

SHOUTS 

I, I. 

David moves to the door, the people following. 
He waves the banner aloft. 

[99] 



LofC. 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAL weeping 

He is a dead man already. You have murdered 
my David. Oh, father, my father! 

DAVID 
Nay, I return ! In the service of the king and the 
king's daughter ! 

Curtain 

end of scene h 



[100] 



ACT III 

Scene I: Room in Saul's Palace. A richly 
decorated room on the ground floor, curtainsy hang- 
ings of Tyrian jmrple and silk, cushions on the 
floor, swinging lamps, fretted work, sconces with 
candles, a chair of state, r c, with sculptured legs 
in the likeness of kneeling lions, an ottoman, l c, 
a harp hung on wall, l. Low stairs, 1 e r; 2 e r 
lead to upper galleried rooms in the palace, l e 
conducts to street, c, hack-stage is a broad-latticed 
window, opening to the floor. The upper half of 
the shutters is open, showing the sky of night. 
Lower half closed, but not so high that a man may 
not enter from the street by overleaping it. Below 
the window is a divan. It is night. The candles 
and lamps are lighted. A circle of sewing -women 
and tailors squat on the floor, busily occupied with 
their work. Heaps of gauzy rainbow-colored ma- 
terial about them. Men cut out, with the aid of 
rule. Women embroider and sew. They work in 
silence wearily. One after another, several fall 

[101] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

asleep, sinking doivnward on the floor. They are 
prodded with a ride by him who seems chief tailor. 
Enter, 2 e r, Jonathan and Michal. The sleep- 
ers spring up, resume their work. Michal 
walks impetuously to them with a motion of the 
hands to dismiss and scatter. 

MICHAL 
What do ye here this hour of the night ? Get up. 

Begone ! 
The Workers arise, looking puzzled. 

JONATHAN 
Sister, Saul has bidden them work the night 
through, to prepare bridal garments against 
the bridal. 

MICHAL 

with intense indignation 
My bridal garments! My bridal! There shall 

be no bridal. Get up! Begone! 
The Workers scatter, some up the stairs, 1 e r, 
the men by 2 e u. Michal sweeps up the stuffs, 
throws them aside against the divan, c, kicks them 
together contemptuously. 

Hateful garments! My bridal with Phaltiel? 
She imitates Phaltiel's bleating laugh. 

[ 102 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

JONATHAN 
It is late. You are not well. You should rest and 

sleep. 
MiCHAL sits on the divan, kicking up the stuffs 
constantly with her feet. 
I cannot sleep, I cannot sleep. I cannot rest, for 

thinking of David who does not return. 
She jumps up, tosses the stuffs aside with her foot. 
I cannot rest the soles of my feet upon them. 

They hurt me like irons. Oh, David, David, 

why did you not return ? 

JONATHAN 
David may yet return. 

MICHAL 
He has been slain among those savage Philistines. 

Ah, me! 
Jonathan puts an arm around her, leads her 
away, 1 e r. 

JONATHAN 
Rest a little, Michal. Perhaps the morning will 
bring better things. 

MICHAL 
There is no rest for me. 

Exit Michal, 1 e r. 
[103] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

JONATHAN 
I would I could help her, but there is no help in 
me. Phaltiel will come betimes in the morn- 
ing with the betrothal ring. Saul is zealous 
for the betrothal. If David returns, it will 
be too late, too late. 
A tap at the shuttered window, c. 
Who is that? 

He goes to window, answers a voice, great surprise. 
You, you ! 

Enter, l e, a servant to extinguish the lights. Jon- 
athan turns. 

In a very low voice to the person outside. 
Hush! Wait! 
To the Servant. 

Leave that lamp and the candle in that sconce. 
The Servant extinguishes all but the two and 
exit, L. 

Yes, all is well. No one is about. Saul ? He 
sleeps. She is in her chamber. Yes, enter, 
enter quickly. Ah! 
As Jonathan pushes open the shutter, David 
springs into the room. He is wrapped about in a 
traveller's cloak so that his face is scarcely dis- 
cernible. 

[104] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

DAVID boyishly 

You would not have known me. Confess ! 
Embracing him. 

JONATHAN 
To me you are as my own brother. 
David returns to window and reaches out after 
something. 
What have you there ? 

DAVID 

bringing a pack into the room 
My passport, the byword. Stuffs for this " brid- 
al. " It was the only way the keepers of the 
gates would admit me. Tell me, Jonathan, 
of this bridal. The tale is not a true one ? 

JONATHAN 

closing entirely the shutters 
Of that, later. Your tidings .? Your men .? Is 
the tale true ? We have heard of death, dis- 
aster ? 

DAVID joyously 

My men are without the gates. Oh, Jonathan, 

my brother, victory has been ours. I have 

taken the banners of twenty cities. Michal 

is mine. 

[105] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

JONATHAN 
David, my brother, I am yours to the end, but 
Michal 

DAVID 
Speak quickly ! 

JONATHAN 
Is promised to another. 

DAVID 

after a moment of deep agitation 
By her wish ? 

JONATHAN 
She has cried for you day and night. 

DAVID 
I must see her. 

JONATHAN 
It is late. In the morning 

DAVID 
Now ! In the morning there will be other matters. 
It is for this I have come. 

JONATHAN 
I will call her. 
He starts to r. 

[ 106 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

DAVID 
Wait. Let us swear an oath together that what- 
ever come between us twain, our souls shall 
be knit together. 

JONATHAN 
Ah, David, your voice pierces me with foretaste 
of trouble. 

DAVID 
Through dark and despair, by fire and by sword, 
shall I win to mine own. But between us, 
Jonathan 

JONATHAN 

clasping David's hand 
I swear! 

DAVID 
Jehovah do so to me and more also if I keep it not. 
Not only while yet I live will I show you kind- 
ness but I will not cut off my kindness from 
your house forever and ever. 
After a solemn pause. 

Now for Michal. Tell her not it is I, but — a 
merchant from Tyre. 

JONATHAN a^ 2 E R 

She will not come. 

[ 107 ] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
With a message from David. 

JONATHAN 
She will come. 

Exit Jonathan, 1 e r. David sees his harp on 
the wall and takes it down^ strumming it softly. 
He sings to himself, his face upturned to the stair- 
way. 

DAVID 
Behold, thou art fair, my love. 
Behold, thou art fair. 
As the rose of Sharon 
Or the lily of the valleys. 

Or the flower among thorns, 
So is my love among women. 
Awake unto me, my sister, my love, my undefiled, 
It is the voice of thy beloved that calleth, saying : 
Awake unto me! 
Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister. 
My bride, awake, awake! 

During the song, Michal has softly opened the 
curtains at the head of the low flight of stairs and 
comes softly down. She is in rose-colored draper- 
ieSy her black hair falling in plaits and twisted 

[ 108 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

with ribbons. She pauses when she sees David 
and is dazed, rubbing her eyes to clear the films of 
sleep. She advances doivn the stairs very slowly. 
As the harp-music dies away she speaks. 

MICHAL 
I dream! Glorious vision of my head. O 

dream, O spirit! 
David retreats, walking backward, till he has 
reached the wall, l, and hung his harp. Then 
with a sudden dramatic change of attitude and 
gait, he approaches her briskly, speaking in the 
eager tone of a seller. 

DAVID 
Lady, I am the merchant of stuffs from Tyre. I 

have 

MiCHAL is mystified, thinks she has dreamed. 

MICHAL 
Where is that other ? 

DAVID 
What other, lady ? There is only I. My servant 

waits in the antechamber. 
He points to l. 

MICHAL 
I had a dream. It is gone. Your message ? 

[ 109 ] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
Princess, I have stuffs 

MICHAL imperiously 

Now is not the hour for buying and selHng. Your 
message. 

DAVID 
Your patience, princess, but I must obey the will 
of him that sent me. Such marvellous excel- 
lent stuffs, in color like the rainbow, in tex- 
ture like the morning mist 

MICHAL 
Ah, peace, peace. They interest me not. 

DAVID 
Thin as spider webs, yet strong as the cords that 
bound Samson. 

MICHAL 
Open them quickly that we may have done with 

this talk. 
MiCHAL seats herself wearily on the ottoman. Da- 
vid, to her surprise f seats himself at her side on the 
cushions. 

DAVID 
still in the inspired tone of an eccentric merchant 
I have sold to the princes of Tyre and Sidon, to 

[110] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

Pharaoh's daughter and to the Queen of 

Sheba 

MICHAL 
Enough ! 

She has scarcely looked at David. This fact, with 
the dimness of the light, his different attire, masked 
voice and the change in him that months of cam- 
paign have wrought, keep her from recognizing 
him, 

DAVID 
But for you alone have I kept one stuff, and sold 

it to none other. 
MiCHAL begins to show interest. 
I have myself woven it for the young bride on her 

betrothal. 
MiCHAii rises in great anger. 

MICHAL 
Out, I will have none of bride-stuffs and betrothal 

veils. 
David goes to his pack which is below the win- 
dow, c. 

DAVID 
It is the wish of him who sent me. 
While David's back is turned, Michal takes the 
cushions on which he has been sitting and tosses 

[111] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

them into the jar corner of the room. Laughing , 

David returns. 

Forgive the laughter, but the joy I am about to 

spread before your eyes 

MiCHAL takes the candle from its sconce. 

MICHAL mocking 

We need a brighter hght to see this stufiF, this 

morning mist, this rainbow web 

David has returned from the window empty-hand- 
ed. He takes the candle from her and places it on 
the table. 

DAVID 
Your pardon, princess, but there needs no light — 
Something in David's tone and manner arrests 
Michal's attention and she stands stilly as if fas- 
cinated. 

for the fabric itself sheds radiance round 
about it. It is woven in heaven for the 
young and the pure. They that wear it 
wisely may wear it always. They will walk 
as angels and no harm may come near them, 
neither will they ever be troubled. 

MICHAL eagerly 

Is it to be bought for gold ? 

[ 112 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

DAVID 
Gold, nay, much gold, will not buy it, for it is 
without price. 

MICHAL 
I should like it well. 

DAVID 
'it would become you well. 

MICHAL 
By what name do you call it ? 

DAVID 
Some do but call it the fabric of a dream. 

MICHAL 
Ah, show it me ! 

David stretches out his arms as if he were dis- 
playing folds of a garment between them. 

DAVID 

Do you not see it ? Do you not know it ? 

MICHAL 

more and more wonderingly 
By what token shall I know it ? 
David takes from his bosom the withered white 
rose of Act II. 

[113] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
By this! 

MICHAL 
The rose, the white rose ! My David. 

DAVID 

taking her to his breast 
This is the fabric of heaven that folds us, love, 
love, love. 

MICHAL 
Ah, David, but this cannot last. To-morrow 

DAVID 

What? 

MICHAL 

My betrothal. 

DAVID 

It shall be with David. 

MICHAL 
My father will not suffer you, when you come de- 
feated, forlorn. 

DAVID 

And you ? 

MICHAL 
Whither thou goest I will go 
And where thou lodgest there will I lodge. 
Come, let us depart this night together. 

[114] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

DAVID 

Nay. 

MICHAL 

You will not fly with me ? Ah, but you must not 

be found here. It will be morning soon. 

DAVID 
I will come for you at daybreak. Your father 
shall give you into my hands. 

MICHAL 

in doubt and grief, denying 
My father — shall give me — to you, to you — as 
you are ! 

DAVID 
As I am, in these rags, he shall call me son. 
He goes to window, c. 

MICHAL 
It must be soon, soon ! 

DAVID 

At daybreak. 
MiCHAL listens at r. 

MICHAL 
Hark, Saul is stirring. The servants are about. 
You must go. 

[115] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
I will go and return. Fear not. 
Exit David, c. A servant enters y l, extinguishes 
the lights. Michal keeps him jrom the window. 

MICHAL 
Does the day promise fair? 

SERVANT 
There bodes a storm, princess. 

MICHAL 
But the sunset was clear. 

SERVANT going to c window 
The sun rises red. Look out, princess ! 

MICHAL 

leaning with her hack to the shutters 
I do not wish to look. It is enough. 
Servant looks surprised. Exit l. Michal flings 
open the shutters and looks out. She croons to 
herself longingly. 
O thou sun, stand still in the heavens till David, 

my David return. Stand still, have pity on 

me till David, my David return. 
As she leans thus from the lattice, Saul and 
Ahinoam enter y 2 e r, deep in conversation. 

[116] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

SAUL 
What is love ? Pff ! A cobweb glistering in the 
dew. Pinch it between your fingers. Gone. 

AHINOAM 
But Michal's heart will be a fire shut up. 

SAUL 
The fire will pass. I doubt not that ere this 

David has become food for beasts of the 

field. 
MiCHAL flings herself from the divan and stands 
stormily before them. They had not before seen her. 

MICHAL 
It is a lie. He lives. 

Exit MiCHAL, 2 E R. 

SAUL sternly 

Michal ! 
Enter, l, servant. 

SERVANT 
My lord, Phaltiel seeks audience. 

SAUL 
Bring him hither. 

Exity L, servant and enter almost immediately 

[117] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

Phaltiel. He is richly dressed, sleeky more re- 
pulsive than ever. 

SAUL 
Your petition. 

PHALTIEL 
My lord, these months have I waited and now I 
beg you, delay no longer. Give me this 
day Michal for my betrothed. 

SAUL to the servant 

Request the princess Michal to come hither. 
Exit servant, 2 e b. 

PHALTIEL 
Behold, how my bones are wasted with the travail 
of my desire! 

SAUL 

not heeding Phaltiel, to Ahinoam 
She is stubborn-hearted and delays to come. I 
will subdue her to my will. 

AHINOAM 
Deal gently with the damsel. 
Enter, r, Michal. At sight of Phaltiel she 
stands. 

[118] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

SAUL 
Hither. What do you fear? 
To Phaltiel, grimly. 
Take her by the hand. Lead your lady. 
MiCHAL futs her hands behind her and advances. 

MICHAL 
I will come alone. 

SAUL 
You are chastened in mien. Has the night 
taught you understanding ? 

MICHAL 

Yes, father. 

SAUL 
And good cheer? 

MICHAL 

Yes, father. 

SAUL 
How honey-sweet her lips. Art ready for the be- 
trothal ? 

MICHAL 
Yes, father. 

SAUL much ^pleased 

Give your hand to Phaltiel's charge and he will 
put on the betrothal ring. 
[119] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

Phaltiel -flourishes the ring from his bosom. 
MiCHAL withdraws. 

MICHAL 
But not with him. I am in truth ready for the 
betrothal, but not with him. 

SAUL 

With whom, prithee? 

MICHAL 

With David. 

Saul laughs long and bitterly. 

SAUL 

Where is he, then, this David of yours ? 

MICHAL 
He will come. 

SAUL 
Will come, will come ! It is a tale grown old. 

MICHAL 
He will come at sunrise. 

AHINOAM 

Do you know, daughter ? 

[120] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

MICHAL 
I know. 
Phaltiel goes to window. 

PHALTIEL 
My lord, the sun is red above the horizon. I can 

no longer wait. 
MiCHAL seizes a sand-glass from the table. 

MICHAL 
Till the sands fall through, till the sands fall 
through. 

AHINOAM 
Grant the child her wish. 

SAUL. 
So be it. 

PHALTIEL 
Oh, my lord king 

SAUL 
I have said. 

MiCHAL standsy c, watching the hour-glass in her 
hands. All watch her. 

PHALTIEL 

Whence comes this lover ? From the heaven ? 

[ 121 ] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAL 
Yes, heaven will send him. 
Pause. 

PHALTIEL 
The sands are nigh spent. 

MICHAL 
Mother, I beg you, watch at the lattice. 
Ahinoam goes to the window to watch. Pause. 

PHALTIEL 
The sands are through. 

MICHAL 
Nay, nay. 

SAUL 

The glass is empty. 

MiCHAL, in wild despair, dashes the hour-glass 
upon the floor. Phaltiel takes her hands. Ahin- 
oam and Saul stand beside them. Jonathan 
rushes in, l. 

JONATHAN 
He comes, he comes. 

PHALTIEL 
Too late. 

[ 122 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

MICHAL 
'Tis not too late. 

David, all breathless, still in his rags and tatter s, 
rushes in, l. 

DAVID 
I, David ! I come to claim the bride. 
Phaltiel rises to the supreme moment of his life. 

PHALTIEL 
My bride. 

David, on his way to Michal, thrusts Phaltiel 

aside so violently that he staggers against the wall. 

DAVID 

Mine. 

Saul sternly steps between him and Michal. 

SAUL 

Insolent, who are you to step between the king 
and the man the king has chosen ? 

DAVID 
Your promise, O king. 

SAUL 

My promise! 

DAVID 
Need I remind Saul of his promise, first before 
the field of Ephes-Dammim, where I slew the 

[123] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

giant Goliath, and second on that night when 
I went forth from the — house of sorcery to 
take the PhiUstine towns ? 

SAUL 
Where are those PhiHstine towns you boasted to 
lay low ? 

DAVID 
In the dust, my lord. 

Phaltiel is creeping as far as possible from Da- 
vid to L. 

SAUL 
You come alone in rags with this pirate's story. 

DAVID 
Alone, in rags, but the cities are laid low. 

AHINOAM to Saul 

My lord, let him offer proof. 

DAVID 
The word of David. 

SAUL to Jonathan 

Summon the guard. 
Exeunt, l, Jonathan and Phaltiel. 

MICHAL 
Believe him, my father. 

[ 134 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

SAUL tauntingly 

A brave bridegroom, forsooth, in your purple and 
fine linen. Only one thing lacks, the chain 
of fine gold, about his neck, for a bridegroom 
meet. 

Enter, l, the armed guard, two men and Jonathan. 

To the men. 

Take him and bind him. 

DAVID 
My friends, I ask ye all to witness how Saul has 
forsworn his oath. I am come victor, and 
this is my reward, a prison and a chain. 

SAUL 
Take him and chain him. He is mad. 
As the men approach, David turns fiercely and has 
almost overthrown them, 

SAUL to David 

David, you that I brought from the sheepcotes, I 
your king, command. 
David gives over his resistance and folds his arms^ 

DAVID 
I obey my king. 

[ 125] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

SAUL 
Lay down your weapon. 

David lays his sword on the floor. It so hap- 
fens that it lies between him and Michal. 

MICHAL 
Ah, David, that drawn sword Ues between you and 
me. 

SAUL to the men 

Take him and bind him. 

The soldiers^ wholly on David's side, sullenly 
hesitate to obey. 
Laggards, do your work. Ye refuse ^ 

MICHAL 
Father, behold how David, whom you hate, is 

more loyal than they. 
A steady tramp, tramp, of approaching men is 
heard from this time till David's followers appear. 

DAVID 
Nay, princess Michal, they, too, are loyal to their 
king. 



What? 



SAUL cingry 

[ 126 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

DAVID 
They appeal from Saul the tyrant to Saul the king. 
Cries outside the window. 

PEOPLE 
David, David! 

AHINOAM to Saul 

My lord, do you hear the people ? 

PEOPLE 
Open to us, David, David ! 

The cries continue from this point till the doors are 
open. 

SAUL 
What is this? 

JONATHAN 
They are the followers of David, acclaiming the 
victory. 

AHINOAM 
They will break down the walls if they see not 
David. 

SAUL 
Open to them. 

The soldiers open the door l and the window c. 
The people crowd in. Eliab is spokesman for the 
people. 

[127] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

ELIAB 
Where is David that I may give these banners to 

his hand ? 
David and Eliab meet and David receives a sheaf 
of tattered banners. 

DAVID 
My lord, I went out, as you bade me, for the re- 
ward of Michal's hand, as I desired, and I 
smote the twenty cities, I and these my brave 
followers and we laid them low. 

PEOPLE 
Huzza. 

David lays a banner at Saul's feet. 

DAVID 
The banner of Ashdod. 

PEOPLE 
Huzza. 

DAVID 

with a second banner 
The banner of Ekron. 

PEOPLE 
Huzza. 

DAVID 
The banner of Gaza. 

[128] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

PEOPLE 
Huzza. 

David lays the sheaf of banners at Saul's feet. 

DAVID 

And the banners of all these cities laid at your feet, 
O my king. 

PEOPLE 
Huzza. 

DAVID 
I ask my reward. 

PEOPLE 
The reward, the reward. 

ELIAB 
Robe him and crown him, O Saul ! 

PEOPLE 
The robe, the chain! 

SAUL 

Oh David, oh ye people 

PEOPLE 
interrupting in their enthusiasm 
The robe, the crown ! 

AHINOAM 
The people demand it. 

[129] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAL 

leading David to Saul 
My father! 

ELIAB 
David and Michal! 

SAUL to Jonathan 

Put upon him your mantle and your robe. 
Jonathan clothes David in his scarlet robe. The 
people applaud. 

MICHAL 
I will put upon his neck the chain of gold. 
She takes from her neck the golden chain she wears. 
David kneels before her and she puts the chain 
upon him. 

PEOPLE 
David and Michal. The bridegroom and the 
bride. 

MICHAL 
He is the prince beloved, for he is your son, is he 
not, father? 

SAUL 
My people, he is in truth the prince beloved, a 
captain over my peoples. Leave us to- 
gether. 

[130] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

He motions to the people to go out. All exeunt, l 
and c, except David and Michal. David kneels 
before Saul. 
Kneel not to me. I am he that should kneel to 

ask your forgiveness, my son David. 
David rises. 
And now your harp, your voice in song, a sign of 

peace. 
Michal brings the harp to David. 

MICHAL 
Too long it has been silent. 
David sits on ottoman, l c. 

DAVID 

What song shall I sing, O Saul ? 
Michal stands by him. 

SAUL 
A song of peace, for I am weary of war. 
To Michal. 

Come to your father, my child. 
Michal goes to her father, sits on a cushion by his 
knee, his hand on her head. 

DAVID 

What song, beloved ? 

[131] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAI. 
Of your childhood days in those dear hills. 
David, strumming lightly on his harp^ sings. 

DAVID 

singing the song of Act I 
The Lord my shepherd is, 

I shall not want. 
In the green pastures shall I lie. 

He leads nie by still waters. 

A triumphal song is heard, faint in the distance, 
but approaching the palace. 

The Lord my soul restores. 

He leadeth me 
In paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 

For His name's sake. 

SAUL 
How sweet your voice to me, my son David ! 

The triumphal procession comes nearer and the 
words of the women are audible. 

WOMEN 
O clap your hands, all ye daughters, 

Shout and greatly rejoice- 

[ 132 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

Saul listens to their voices^ disturbed. Michal 
leans forward to David, anxious. 

MICHAL 
Play on, sweet singer. 

SAUL muttering 

In praise of David. 

DAVID singing 

Yea, though I walk in night, 

Through death's dark valley 

The procession comes in sight. Women robed in 
ivhite, carrying torches, file slowly past the 
window. 

WOMEN 
O clap your hands, all ye daughters. 

Shout and greatly rejoice. 
Saul, Saul his thousands hath he slain, 
But David his ten thousands. 

Saul's face darkens. His hand steals to the hilt of 
his javelin. 

SAUL 
David, David! Even the women chant his 
praise. 

MICHAL 

Sing on, sing on ! 

[133] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
Yea, though I walk in night, 

Through death's dark valley. 

WOMEN 

in a sudden burst of song 
Saul, Saul his thousands hath he slain, 
But David his ten thousands. 

DAVID singing 

No evil will I fear 

SAUL 
Curse you, curse you, curse you. Traitor! 
With his words, he hurls his javelin across the 
room at David. Michal, with a cry, flings her 
weight on his arm, causing the javelin to swerve. 
It strikes the wall behind David. 

MICHAL 
Flee, flee for your life. The madness is on him. 

DAVID 

arisen to his feet, in an attitude of horror 
Saul, my king. 

Curtain 

end of act iii 
[134] 



ACT IV 

Scene I : The Tabernacle : The gorgeous pag- 
eantry of the Tabernacle arrayed for the bridal of 
MicHAL at the Feast of Trumpets. Hangings of 
purple y blue, and gold. The altar with the golden 
candlesticks and cherubim. Priests and Levites in 
their rich robes grouped around the altar. Two 
exitSy the great central door and smaller door, l. 
Enter, c, two priests, blowing on silver trumpets. 
They are followed by musicians, with tabret, harp, 
and psaltery. After their evolutions, comes a pro- 
cession of maidens with cymbals, dancing a slow 
religious dance. These are arrayed on l, in front 
of the musicians. Opposite are the priests and 
Levites. Then, to the sotind of music from the 
trumpeters, come the courtiers led by Merab and 
Adriel. These take their places, r c. 
Enter alone, c, Phaltiel, in bridal splendor. A 
low hiss runs through the group of young men and 
maidens. Phaltiel glances sullenly. 

[135] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

All look expectantly to c, whence comes the sound of 
low wailing, Michal's voice. Enter Jonathan 
and Queen Ahinoam, followed after a moment 
by Saul, leading Michal. Michal is in white, 
her long hair in braids bound with gold, and a 
gold girdle round her waist. She is ashen pale 
and is dragged rather than led. They slowly ad- 
vance to the altar. When she lifts her head and 
sees the array of priests and Phaltiel waiting 
for her by the altar, she moans. 

MICHAL 
Ah, no, no! 

SAUL to the musicians 

Strike up. 

The musicians play. 

Phaltiel, stand forward. 

As Phaltiel advances Michal retreats. 

Oh all ye peoples, tribes of Israel, my children 
hereunto assembled, these are the nuptials of 
the princess Michal with Phaltiel, prince of 
Laish. Where is the high priest of the tribe 
of Benjamin? Let him join their hands 
and put on the solemn ring of the covenant. 

A pause, but no high priest steps forth. 

[ 136 ] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 

JONATHAN 
My lord king, the high priest was stricken down 

as he set forth for the tabernacle. 
A groan from all. 

SAUL 

What boots it? 

To a priest. 

Ashur, take your place in his stead. 

AsHUR, in his stately robes, steps to c from the body 

of priests. He is reluctant. The music sounds 

again as Ashur leads together Michal and 

Phaltiel. Ashur takes from Phaltiel the ring 

and holds it on high. 

Behold the solemn ring of the covenant ! Is there 

any man to deny this covenant ? 
A commotion at the door, c. The people shudder 
away as, on horseback at full gallop, enters David, 
his spear flashing from r to l. Eliab and Abina- 
DAB follow and stand guard on each side of the 
great central door, 

DAVID 
I deny! I deny! I deny the righteousness of 

the covenant. 
He reaches the spot where the royal group stand, 
leans from the saddle, smites down Ashur. 

[137] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

Thus have I cut in two both ring and priest and — 

lifting Michal to the saddle beside him, amid the 

frozen stares of the congregation. 

Thus does the master take his own ! 

Sharply wheeling, he gallops up-stage to door. 

SAUL choking in wrath 

Traitor and outlaw ! Has no man a weapon ? 

DAVID at door 

The weapon is mine. By sword and by fire have 

I sworn to have and to hold mine own. 
Samuel, a venerable figure, appears suddenly at l 
and holds up his hand, 

SAMUEL 
David, halt. By sword and by fire, but not in 

the name of the Most High. In the name of 

the Most High, I command thee lay down 

thy burden. 
A pause. David stands reluctant, his eyes fixed 
on Samuel. 
Forbear to desecrate His holy Temple. In the 

name of thine own high calling, forbear ! 
David gives over Michal to his two men-at-arms 
by the door. Her insensate form shows that she is 
unconscious. They carry her within, where two 

[138] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 

maidens tend her. David alights and stands 

with bared head and weapon lowered. 

Get thee hence to the wilderness away from the 

wrath of Saul, to do penance and to wash 

away thy sin. 

DAVID smiting his breast 

In the name of mine own anointing I do obey, 

that Jehovah who is the respecter of oaths 

may also respect the oath that lies 'twixt me 

and her. 

He points to Michal. 

Curtain 

end of scene i 



[139] 



i 



ACT IV 

Scene II: The Cave of Adullam: A wild and 
rugged country y with a gray, tossing shy. Clifjs 
and rocks piled up as far as the eye can see. r is 
the entrance to the cave. Other exits, l and c, he- 
hind jags of rocks and boulders. Stones in front 
used as seats. 

Discovered are David and a wild group of his fol- 
lowers, ten or twelve. Among them the three 
mighties, his brothers, Eliab, Abinadab, and 
Shammah, and Amasa and Asahel, archers, with 
their bows and arrows. 
The curtain goes up on a great clamor. 



Down with 


Saul. 


ELIAB 


Death to the madman. 






DAVID 


Silence. 




[140] 









ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 

SHAMMAH 
Down with the mad king. 

DAVID 
Silence. 

More angry cries. 

Silence. Obey your leader ! 

They are silent. 

I say unto you, honor the king. 

ELIAB 
David, the prophecy has gone out that you are to 
be king of Israel and to this end Samuel 
anointed you. 

DAVID 
Because of this prophecy, shall we take up arms 
against the king.? Even because of the 
prophecy, a thousand times no! 

ALL 

A cause, a cause! 

DAVID 
There shall be a cause for you. Are there out- 
laws among you, driven forth from house 
and home? 

CRIES 
Yes, yes. 

[141] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
Outlaw am I. Debtors are there, your faces 
ground by the pitiless tax-gatherer ? 

CRIES 

Yes, yes. 

DAVID 
Debtor am I. Malcontents are there, your hope 

as a spider's web? Haggards of the rock, 

criers for justice ? 

CRIES 

Yes, yes. 

DAVID 

All that and more am I. Yet with a great hope 
possessed that out of confusion will peace 
arise, from the wine of violence and the 
bread of tears, peace that floweth like a river. 
Let us then stand shoulder to shoulder, you 
for me, I for you ! 

ALL 

For David, for David. 

DAVID 
Robbers and oppressors we shall not be. What 
shall bind us together, love or hate, hate or 
love? 

[ 142 ] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 

ELIAB 
liOvers of David, lovers of David! 

DAVID 
To your stations, as I have appointed. Remem- 
ber the password if any seeks admittance. 
" What come you for to seek ? " " The Lion 
of Judah. " 

ALL as they go out 

The hon of Judah. 
The three mighties and David remain. 

ELIAB 
Who knows the watchword outside of our cave } 

DAVID 
Only they that are my friends. 

ABINADAB 
And they are easily numbered. Not of the palace, 
I will swear. 

DAVID 
One there is in the palace my friend. That one 
knows the password. None other. 

SHAMMAH 
Trust none, I say. 

Cries of the men outside among the cliffs are heard. 

[143] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

CRIES 
What come you for to seek ? 

VOICE 
The Lion of Judah. 

CRIES 
Let him pass. 

All look questioningly to the clijfs, c. Enter Mi- 

CHAL, disguised as a shepherd. 

DAVID stepping forward 

If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, my 

heart shall be knit unto you, but if ye come to 

betray me — 
At this word Michal starts. 

to mine enemies, the God of our fathers look 

thereon and rebuke it. 

MICHAL. 
Yours am I, David, and on your side. 
At the sound of her voice David looks at her closely 
and moves a step nearer. 

ABINADAB laughingly 

A grasshopper in sandals, forsooth ! 

SHAMMAH 
What seek you refuge from, the assault of a 
mighty blue-fly? 

[ 144 ] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 

DAVID 

Depart to your stations. When I have need of 

you I will blow one blast upon my bugle. 

ELIAB 
We shall obey your call. 
Exeunt, c, the tliree mighties. 

DAVID 'passionately 

Michal, Michal, why have you come ? Has Saul 
relented ? 

MICHAL 

No, no. 

DAVID 

Child, child, did you not fear? These savage 
cliffs, these outlawed men! 

MICHAL 
I had the password. 

DAVID 
What brings you ? At your peril have you come, 
like a bird that hastes to the snare and knows 
it not. 

MICHAL 
I came to you. 

[ 145 ] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID enfolding her 

Nest thee, then, my bird. Ah, but thy Hps are 
sweeter than wine. 

MiCHAL withdraws from David and looks up into 
his face with a deep question. 

MICHAL 
David, have I not proved my love, that I would 
leave all and follow you ? 

DAVID 

I ask no proof. I believe you always, as you me. 

MiCHAL shakes her head slowly. 

Doubt not the future. It is in His hands. Soon 
you must go, I know too well. Let us dream, 
dream, here at the parting of the ways. 

MiCHAL springs from him in indignation. 

MICHAl. 
David, I have risked all for you, and you ? You 
count me least of your ambitions. 

DAVID in wonder 

Have I not — have I not ? 

MICHAL 
Talk not of battles and violence with sword. That 
is man's pastime. Many men, for love of a 
t 146 ] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 

woman, have overcome cities. There is some- 
thing between your heart and mine, David. 

DAVID 

Between us twain, Michal ? 

MICHAJL 
A king's crown. 

DAVID 
Would to God, Michal, I were a shepherd lad 

again. 
He presses his head as if there were a weight upon 
it. 
The crown, the crown, is upon my forehead a 

crown of thorns. 
He paces to and fro, heedless of Michal. 
The burden is greater than I can bear. Take the 

burden of this crown from me, O my God. 

MICHAL 
Cast it under foot and grind it to fragments. 
A pause. David turns to her. 

DAVID 

Speak again. 

MICHAL 
I bring this message from Saul my father. Re- 
nounce your hope of the kingdom, he will re- 

[ I'i*^ ] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

ceive you as his son, and — David — I shall be 
yours. 
David opens his arms to her. 

DAVID 
I swear it. Ah, nay, nay ! It is denied me by the 

oath of mine anointing. 
He goes with bowed head from her. 

MICHAL following him 

Is your love then so little ? 

DAVID to himself 

Verily, my feet are too weak to tread this path. 
As a blind man I stagger and fall. 

MICHAL 
This is the measure of the stature of your love. 

DAVID 
Who has determined this to be the measure ? Who 
has poisoned your mind against me ? 

MICHAL 
My father has — counselled me. 

DAVID 

Listen, Michal. There is a law mightier even 
than this law of love. By this law in the be- 
[ 148 ] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 

ginning of things were our lives ordained, all 
our times appointed. Not often is it vouch- 
safed to any man to see what the future has in 
store. That which is to be is not of my do- 
ing nor of Saul's nor any man's undoing. It 
is the law of God, who setteth the stars in 
their places and the ocean that he overstep 
not his barrier. Do you understand ? 

MICHAJL awed 

I understand. 

DAVID 

But believe not that glory maketh any man to re- 
joice. Even of the dust have I eaten, for be- 
tween thee and me does this crown come. 

MICHAJL kneeling 

Forgive me, my lover. 

DAVID 
I have naught to forgive. 

MICHAL 
There is something you do not know. I came 
here — my father was aware — he will fol- 
low — Ah, David, I was so sure you would 
renounce the ambition — I did not under- 
stand ! 

[149] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
What is your meaning ? 

MICHAL 
My father wrought so upon me. Ah, my lord ! 

DAVID 

What have you done ? 

MICHAL 
I have betrayed you, you will say. But not will- 
ingly. 
The clashing of arms and cries of fighters are 
heard. The noise waxes louder throughout the 
next few speeches. 

DAVID 
You have betrayed me ! Ah, my brave followers ! 
He makes as if to join them outside, running to l, 
but MiCHAL clings to him. 

MICHAL 
Leave me not alone, leave me not! 
David takes her to the cave opening^ r. 

DAVID 
Hide there. It will be safe. 

[150] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 

MICHAL 
No, I shall stay in the open and with you. 
A scattered remnant of David's followers, bravely 
keeping the cliffs, are pushed backward by their 
assaulters and so enter, c and l, backward, still 
fighting. Saul's men follow, their panoply of 
armor in contrast with the tatters of David's men. 
A sharp struggle, then all fall in death except 
two of Saul's followers and one of David's, the 
youth AsAHEL. AsAHEL rushcs to David, his 
bow in his hand, his sheaf of arrows at his belt, the 
two in pursuit. 

ASAHEL 
I am struck to the heart. 

He falls dead. David seizes As ah el's bow and 
arrows and shoots at the pursuers. They fall and 
Saul enters, c, towering in his rage, his spear in 
his hand. 

SAUL 
Vengeance is mine, at last, at last. 
David steps forward fearlessly. 

DAVID 

My lord king. 

SAUL poising his spear 

Trouble not yourself with lord, lord. 

[ 151 ] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAA'^ID baring his breast 

Death shall be welcome, for Michal has become 

my betrayer. 
Michal throws herself on her father's breast 

MICHAL 
Not him, father, not him. 

SAUL 
You have played your part. Stand back. 

MICHAL 
Spare him, father, for my sake. 

SAUL 
I will not deal with him as his deeds deserve. I 

will summon my men and they shall take him 

captive. 
Saul blows two blasts on his bugle. A pause. 
There is no response. He blows again. Again a 
pause. 

DAVID 
Oh my lord king, the dead do not waken, neither 

are the slain swift of foot. 

SAUL 
Slain for me! 

David blows once. A long pause. 
Nay, the dead do not waken! 

[152] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 

David blows again. Enter running, blood-stained 
and torny the two mighties, Eliab and Shammah. 

ELIAB 
My lord David! 

DAVID 
Where are your brethren ? 

ELIAB 
Out of your body-guard, the ten that guarded 
the chffs, we only remain. The king's men 
have fallen, every one. 
David bows his head. Saul throws his spear on 
the ground. 

SAUL 
Rejoice over me, for I am in your hands. 

DAVID 
Far be it from me to rejoice over these that have 
fallen in my name. Lo, they have fought in 
jeopardy of their lives. 

SAUL 
Hasten to raise your weapon against me. 

DAVID 
I shall not put forth my hand against the Lord's 
anointed. After whom is the King of Is- 
[153] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

rael come out? My heart is unto you as it 
was of old. 

MICHAL 
Beseech him, father, that the past may be for- 
gotten and that we may be at peace together. 

SAUL 
Give me here your solemn covenant to forswear 
the vain hope of the kingship, and lo, you 
shall have Michal to wife and peace and 
plenty all your days. But the crown to me 
and my house forever. 

MICHAL 
Swear to this covenant, David, for my sake. 

SAUL 

Why are you reluctant, my son David ? 

DAVID 

You ask me to forswear the word of the Most 
High. 

MICHAL 
As you love me, David. A king's crown or your 
heart's desire. 

[ 154 ] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 

DAVID 
Other Hands than mine have placed the crown 
before me and other Hands must take it from 
my head. 

MICHAL 
Father, plead with him, beseech him, for a 
crown is but a little thing compared to the 
love of a life. 

DAVID 

Nay, Michal, but man is not stronger than God 
to contend with Him. Oh my lord king, I 
must await the word of the anointing. To 
forswear the word I am unable. 

SAUL in a rage 

I will smite you, hip and thigh. You and your 
followers I will put to the edge of the 
sword. You shall be harried and laid waste 
and forgotten utterly. Michal, swear unto 
me never again to look upon the face of this 
traitor David. Swear! 
He forces her to her knees before him. 

MICHAL 
I swear. 

Saul raises her to her feet and they go off to c. 

[ 155] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 

I charge you, O Michal, to remember my love. 
Many waters will not quench love neither 
will the floods drown it. Nay, if a man 
would give all the substance of his house for 
love it would utterly be contemned. 

To Eliab and Shammah. 

See that the king and the king's daughter go safe- 
ly forth. 

ELIAB 
We obey. 

DAVID 

Sound me salute from the various stations that I 
may know they have safely passed. 

To Saul and Michal. 

Peace be with you. 

Exeunt, c, Saul, Michal, and the mighties. 

David stands in a listening attitude. Three salutes 

sound, more and more distant, David's head 

droops upon his breast. He sees the fallen figure 

of AsAHEL and lifts the still hand. 

In vain shall your mother await you at her win- 
dow — she shall cry at her lattice — When 
Cometh he, my son, my first-born ? 
[156] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 

He raises his arms to an attitude of prayer. 
Acquaintance and friend puttest Thou from me, 
My beloved removest Thou far from my sight. 

Curtain 

Second Curtain 

Tableau — Night, the sky strewn with faint stars 
and a camp-fire lighting weirdly the foreground of 
boulders where David's followers lie asleep. In 
the far distance, other fires, beacon-lights on the 
hills. David still standing in the attitude of sor- 
row, arms upraised to heaven. 

END OF ACT IV 



[157] 



ACT V 

Scene I: An Open Square in the City of 
Gath : Evening. A paved city square with ex- 
terior of low stone buildings on r and l. Seen in 
the distance a broad plain and the blue Mediter- 
ranean, flecked with foam. Small grated windows 
in the houses are lighted, giving sign of watchers 
within. The back of the stage is the city wall 
flanked on the n by a watch-tower. Steps lead 
from the square to the top of the wall. 1 e l leads 
to the outer country. 2 e l, a door in the house of 
Achish, king of Gath. r e leads to other parts 
of the city and wall. On the r is a merchanfs 
deserted booth. Wares are carelessly heaped up in 
the fashion of Eastern bazaars of to-day. In front 
is a stone bench for the buyers. On a table of the 
booth, an oriental lantern, lighted. 
Discovered, Hurai, in warlike dress, and a 
Philistine asleep in the shadow of the steps, c. 
Pacing back and forth on the wall, Eliab. On 
the bench, r, Amasa. 

[158] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 

AMASA 
In the morning the battle again, clanking of sword 
and glittering of spear. 

ELIAB 
And may the battle be for us, for David and the 
men of Gath. 

AMASA 

How many be the Israelites that lie outside ? 

ELIAB 
They are as the locusts for number. 
Enter, r, David, absorbed, reading from a parch- 
ment scroll. 

DAVID 
"To David, son of Jesse, armor -bearer of King 
Saul, greeting!" For so was I in the former 
time. "I, Michal, salute thee, in remem- 
brance of those days at Gibeah and of that 
harp of thine, with lilies garlanded. Lay 
down, O David, thy sword. Take up 
again thy harp and lift thy voice in song. 
Forget the bitterness of thy heart and think 
upon them that showed thee kindness. Saul 
will relent toward thee if thou wilt go to 
him as once thou wast, not captain of out- 
[159] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

lawed and desperate men," for so am I, 
Amasa, "but the sweet singer of Israel, the 
greatly beloved of the king. " For so was I 
in the former time. *' Return, O David, to thy 
people. I, Michal, beseech thee. " 

AMASA 
This came to you to-day ? 

DAVID 
Not to-day. Many days ago. And this has been 

the answer, alas, war, war, war. 
A wailing from the house of Achish. Hurai and 
the Philistine stir uneasily in their sleep. 

AMASA 
List, David, to the voice of weeping. 

DAVID 
Who are they? 

ELIAB 

They are the captive women, women of Israel 

DAVID 
My countrywomen! 

ELIAB 
This night captured at the hands of one of the 
Philistine lords. 

[160] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 

DAVID 

as the weeping sounds again 

Captive, my countrywomen! Their souls are 

sorrowful and they will not sleep. Bid them 

hither. Eliab, bid hither the captive women 

that I may speak comfortably to them. 

ELIAB 
I go to bring them. 
Exity 2 E L, Eliab. 

DAVID 
My soul yearns for the daughters of my people. 
They reproach me in their hearts, even as 
does Michal, Saul's daughter. 

AMASA 
Has Michal not sworn belief in you ? Yes, and 
Jonathan also, the king's son. He was to 
you as a brother. 

DAVID 
How may I believe that their heart is toward me 
as of old, when I am thus in the stronghold of 
their enemies ? Ay, even in the Cave of Adul- 
1am Michal turned from me with reproaches. 
He takes from his breast the parchment. 

[161] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

"I, Michal, salute thee, in remembrance of 
those days at Gibeah and of that harp of 
thine, with hhes garlanded. " Enter, 2 e l, 
Eliab, with captive women. Addressing the 
women. Fear not for yourselves at all, nei- 
ther be troubled. This shall be for you all a 
place of safety and a refuge in time of war. 
The women bow and turn to pass out. Peace 
be with you. David scans them carefully as 
they pass him. Exeunt, 2 e l, the women. 
Eliab, were all the captive women here ? 

ELIAB 

There remains yet one. 

DAVID 
She would not come ? 

ELIAB 

She scorned me utterly and set me at nought. 

DAVID 

Bring her hither. 

ELIAB 
She has the bearing of one who commands. I 
failed before her. 

[ 162 ] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 

DAVID 
Send her to me. Amasa, you are more honey- 
mouthed, go to her, but command her not. 
Entreat her courteously. 

AMASA 
I go. 

DAVID 
Give her a — token. He thinks. A token from 
me. He takes from his neck the chain. This 
chain. 

AMASA 

hesitating to accept it 
It is Michal's. 

DAVID 
It is mine. 

AMASA 
The chain that Michal put around your neck on 
that day of your gladness. 

DAVID 
That day of my sadness. Take it. 

AMASA as he goes to l 

The chain he has worn so long 

Exit Amasa 2 e l. 

[163] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
I will not wear it again till Michal herself puts 
it upon me. 

ELIAB to the sleeping men 
Arouse you, arouse you! They begin to awake. 
Up, it is already the third watch. They 
awake. 

HURAI 
Is it morning ? 

ELIAB 
It is your watch upon the western wall. They rise. 

DAVID 

It will soon be morning. Yet it seems the night 

has lingered for a cycle. 
Exeunt Hueai and the Philistine. 
Speak to me further of this captive woman. She 

is long in coming. 

ELIAB 

Ay, she takes her time. She is proud as a king's 
daughter. 

DAVID 

You heard her voice, sorrowful like the wind 
among the cedars. 

[ 164 ] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 

And full of music like the music of falling waters ? 
Answer me! Nay, answer me not, you mav not 

read the music of her voice. 
How walked she, light-foot as the bird that 

brushes the grasses 
And they bend but break not under her feet ? 
Or sat she in quietness with bowed forehead, 
Like the mourners in their places ? 

ELIAB 
Surely, in so short a time I could not see so much. 
Enter, 2 e l, Michal, veiled, and holding in her 
hands the gold chain. 

DAVID 
Lady, I thank you for your coming. Eliab, 

guard the eastern defences. 
ExiU 1 E L, Eliab. 

MICHAL 
Your will with me ? 

DAVID 
Michal! 

MICHAL 
Nay, come no nearer and call me not by name. I 
am a captive woman and you my jailer. 
[165] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
As Jehovah lives, my God and yours, my heart is 
toward you even as it was of old. Lift up 
your veil, I pray you, that we may see eacli 
other face to face. 

MICHAL Utterly 

You would have me stand before you unveiled, 
the more to grace your triumph. 

DAVID 
It is no triumph, but a day of desolation, a night 

of weeping. 
MiCHAL lijts her veil. 

MICHAL 

Speak and let me go in peace. 

DAVID 
Believe in me. This is all my prayer. If it were 
an enemy that reproached me, then could I 
bear it. But it is you, a woman mine equal, 
mine acquaintance, and my beloved. 

MICHAL 
My eyes bear witness against you that have seen 
you command the gates of Gath. Even by 
this chain also are you false, sending forth 
men to spill their blood that gave it you. 
[ 166 ] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 

DAVID 
The gift was yours. 

MICHAL 
And their blood is in my veins. 

DAVID 
I am here as a shelter from tempestuous days and 
the arrows of the envious. Believe it, Michal. 

MICHAL 
So I would fain believe. But the days came when 
I durst not believe. I was in derision daily. 
I cried out, because you were made a re- 
proach to me. Then I said, *' I will not make 
mention of him nor speak any more his 
name. " But your name was in my heart as 
a burning fire shut up. 

DAVID 
Then the message by the hand of the scribe. 

MICHAL 

hiding her face in shame 
A woman's heart fights for its life and will not be 
slain. On my knees did my heart cry out to 
you for mercy and you — gave me none. 
[167] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 

"putting his hand to his breast 
Mercy was in your hand to give, not mine. You 
the home-keeping, I the hunted. 

MICHAL 
Oh, it was shame to me, shame, that I should send 
to you, beg you, and you — heed not ! 

DAVID 
Here within my breast your message has rested, 
under the chain your hands put about my 
neck. You remember? 

MICHAL 
I remember. 

DAVID 
You will put it once again about my neck. 

MICHAL 
Never! 

DAVID 
It shall be in token of perfect understanding. But 
here on my breast has your message lain, on 
my heart. I need not to open the scroll. 
Listen, Michal. 
He repeats slowly. 

[168] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 

"To David, son of Jesse, armor-bearer of King 

Saul, greeting! 
I, Michal, salute thee, in remembrance of those 

days at Gibeah and of that harp of tliine with 

lilies garlanded. 
Lay down, O David, thy sword. Take up again 

thy harp and lift thy voice in song. Forget 

the bitterness of thine heart and think upon 

them that showed thee kindness. 
Saul will relent toward thee if thou wilt go to him 

as once thou wast, not captain of outlawed 

and desperate men " 

MICHAL 
For so are you. 

DAVID 

" — but the sweet singer of Israel, the greatly be- 
loved of the king. Return, O David, 
to thy people. I " 

MICHAL 
I, Michal, beseech thee ! Those were my words. 
Those are still my words. 

DAVID 
Would I could prove to you my love, even in wan- 
dering and in exile. This night, perhaps, 
[ 169 ] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

the trial may come. And for you or any of 
your house I would spend my life-blood. 
And then — you would put the chain about 
my neck, in token of perfect understanding. 
The sound of a trumpet is heard. 

MICHAL 
I am afeard. 

DAVID 
It is for the gathering together of the people. Stay, 

Michal. Fear not. 
Enter, l and r, Achish, king of Gath, Saph, 
Eliab, and others, David's followers and the Phil- 
istines. 

ACHISH 
We will make him king over his people. 

ALL 

Ay, ay. 

ACHISH 
David, we have taken counsel together and I, 
king of Gath, have come to lay the matter 
before you. 

DAVID 
Speak on. 

[170] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 

ACHISH 
You know how our men have fallen for you upon 
the field. To-morrow, we wish you to lead 
cut your followers to battle, you who till now 
have kept the defences. Lead them forth 
and then haply from Saul's army your coun- 
trymen will flock to your standard, those who 
loved you of old. We of Gath will stand 
by you and at the day's end the crown of Is- 
rael shall be upon your head. Michal lis- 
tens earnestly. Saul and the house of Saul 
shall be beneath your feet and Philistia and 
Israel friends forever. 

SAPH AND PHILISTINES 
Forever ! 

DAVID 
It needs but one word to make firm this com- 
pact — the word of David. 





ACHISH 


Your word, O David! 




SAPH 


Your word ? 






ELIAB 


Give the word, 


Yes. 




[171] 



• DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

ABINADAB 
Consent. 

DAVID 

You ask me to gather round my standard my fol- 
lowers and yours, and the followers of Saul 
who may defect from his ranks in battle — 
the craven and disloyal — and against the 
people of my tribe and of his to make war. 

ACHISH AND SAPH 
War, war ! 

DAVID 
The reward — shall be the crown of Israel ? 

ACHISH 
The crown of Israel ! 

DAVID 

And the price ? 

ACHISH 
The life of Jonathan and Saul. 

SAPH 
Their life. 

ACHISH 
And the word of David ? 

[172] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 

MICHAL 
listening more and more intently 
The word of David ? 

DAVID 
The word of David is, in the name of his people, 
No! 

ACHISH 
What? 

SAPH 
He refuses? 

ELIAB 

There was ever a streak of madness in David. 

SAPH 

Madness! More evil than madness, I swear to 

you! Treason to Achish and to Gath! 

PHILISTINES 

suddenly veering to hostility 
Traitor! 

SAPH 
Think not, Achish, that he is loyal to his perse- 
cutor, the mad king. How would this be 
possible ? 

PHILISTINES 

No, no 

[ 173 ] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

SAPH 
If he will not fight with us, he is against us. Let 
us put him to the test. 

PHILISTINES 
Down with David. 

ELIAB 
Insolent dogs! 

A scuffle between the followers of David and the 
Philistines. 

DAVID to his men 

Forbear ! Let us have peace. 

ACHISH to Philistines 

Bide your time. 

SAPH 
Put him to the test! 

ACHISH 
Men of Gath, he has come to us irom his people, 
hunted like a wild beast on the hills. He has 
been to me a friend and a lover. Even as an 
angel has his countenance been to me. 

SAPH 
Why; then, will he not fight with us and over- 
throw the madman who drove him hither ? 
[174] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 

PHILISTINES led hij Saph 

Treason ! 
They move angrily toward David. 

MICHAL to David 

Answer them. They will slay you. 

DAVID 
Achish and ye men of Gath, listen to me. You 
say you do not believe in me nor in the pledge 
of fealty I have taken to your king ? You say 
that in my heart I harbor treason, that I 
will turn against you in secret and betray 
your cause .'' 

SAPH 
That and more do we say. 

DAVID 
Well and good. If then I should lead forth my 
following against Israel, how quickly, O 
Philistines, I might join my forces with my 
countrymen and on the field of battle betray 
your cause, to benefit my own with the king 
of Israel ! 

ACHISH to Philistines 

You hear.^ 

They nod, following David intently. 

[ 175 ] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

DAVID 
In the crisis of battle easily might the balance be 
turned and you would be crushed by the over- 
weight of Israel. 

PHILISTINES 

Ay, ay. 

ACHISH 
He speaks wisdom. 

DAVID 
This, were I disloyal to Gath, might be my way 
to Saul's favor. If you believe me traitor, 
fear to send me forth. 

ACHISH 
You hear ? 

PHILISTINES satisfied 

Ay, ay. 

DAVID 

Go forth as you will and leave me warden of the 
walls and defender of your gates. This do I 
with all good will. 

SAPH 
What proof of his loyalty to us .^ 

[ 1^6 ] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 

MICHAL stepping forward 

Achish, king of Gath, and you his men, hear 

me, though I am but a captive and a woman. 

ACHISH 
Speak, Michal, daughter of Saul. 

MICHAL 
This night has David given proof of his loyalty to 
Gath. 

ACHISH 
Your meaning ? 

MICHAL 

His loyalty this night to Saul. Cheers of Philis- 
tines and Israelites. For he who is loyal to 
the friend that has disowned him, will he not 
even more be loyal to the friend that stands 
by? 

Enter^ 1 e l, Amasa. 

AMASA 
I bring tidings. 

ACHISH 
Speak quickly. 

AMASA 

A messenger from Saul under cover of a flag of 

truce. 

[177] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

ACHISH 
A truce ! From Saul ! 

EnteTy 1 E L, Jonathan and two soldiers carrying 
the flag. Jonathan does not look at David. Da- 
vid leans toward Jonathan, his face and attitude 
eloquent of love and anguish. 

JONATHAN 

King Saul to the king of Gath, salutation! Oh 
Achish, as you know full well, the half of 
your valiant host perished to-day in the field 
of battle and are become food for the raven. 
The king of the Bene-Israel is encamped be- 
fore your gates. O Achish, upon one condi- 
tion will Saul withdraw his army. Give into 
our hands to do with as is fit, that desperate 
rebel you harbor, David of Bethlehem. 

At Jonathan's words, David stifles a cry. 

ACHISH 
Haply without condition from Saul shall Gath 
escape. 

JONATHAN 
Gath is doomed. Behold from the walls how 
she is circled about. 

[ 1^8 ] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 

ACPIISH 
David we will not return to you. 

ALL 

No, no. 

DAVID 
looking earnestly to Jonathan 
Speak to me, Jonathan, my brother. 

JONATHAN 

disregarding David 

You hold Saul's daughter, Miehal. Return to me 

Michal, and Saul will relinquish the battle. 

ACHISH 
By what sign shall Saul know on the instant that 
Michal is released ? 

JONATHAN taking a lantern 
This light waved twice shall be for a sign of peace. 
We will strike our tents. We will sheathe our 
swords. 

DAVID 
fronting Jonathan so that 'perforce their eyes meet 
And for a sign of war ? 

JONATHAN to AcHlSH 

The light, waved once from the wall, shall be a 
sign of fire. A sign of refusal. 
[179] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAL 
A sign of fire, a sign of refusal ! 

DAVID 

holding his arms wide to Jonathan 
War ! But not between us, not between us, Jona- 
than, my brother. 
Jonathan refuses r espouse , turning to Achish. 

JONATHAN 
Your answer? 

ACHISH 
Michal we release. 

MICHAL clinging to David 
David, speak for me. 

DAVID 
Michal will abide with the city of Gath and with 
David her captain. 

JONATHAN struck to the heart 
My sister ! 

MICHAL 
I will never return to — that bridal. 
Jonathan wheels to leave. David intercepts him, 

[ 180 ] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 

DAVID with intense emotion 
Jonathan, my brother — before we part! 
He holds out his arms pleadingly. 
By our oath of friendship sworn at my home-com- 
ing. Jonathan ! 

JONATHAN 
That oath — 

DAVID 

in the words of Act III 
Jehovah do so to me and more also if I keep it not. 
Not only while yet I live will I show you kind- 
ness, but I will not cut off my kindness from 
your house forever and ever. 
Jonathan is slowly won to David. They em- 
brace in parting. Jonathan and his soldiers go 
out. David and Michal are silent, deeply moved. 

ACHISH 
The light, the sign ! 

David takes the lantern and mounts the steps to the 
wall. 

MICHAl. 
The single lamp, swung once. 
She raises her arm. 
In the name of David! 

[181] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

David waves the lantern once and lets it fall with a 
crash into the square below, 

DAVID 
In the name of Michal! 

DARK CHANGE 
END OF SCENE I 



[182] 



ACT V 

Scene II: City Square at Dawn. Bead body 
of Saph under the shadow of the wall. Eliab, 
Abinadab, and Shammah enter, r, running. 
AcHiSH, coming from l, meets them. 

ACHISH 
Back to the eastern tower, ye dogs, cravens! 
They huddle together, chattering in terror. 
Back, ye feeble-hearted! Abinadab cotyi- 
mences speaking, but is inarticulate through 
fright. Has craven fear cut the tongues 
from your heads ? 

ELIAB 
Oh, Achish, the eastern tower is doomed. We 
will not go back. 

ACHISH 
Will not ! Ha, what is this you say ? 

ABINADAB 
Since David fell, struck by the accursed arrow, a 
spell is on the tower. The men who stand 
[183] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

there are picked off like fruit from the tree. 
We cannot go back. 

ACHISH 
Cannot! A lie! Back, dogs! 

SHAMMAH 
Every arrow of the enemy brings down its prey. 
Since David fell there is no heart in us. We 
dare not ! 

ACHISH 
The truth at last. Dare not ! Is there not a man 
here to guard the eastern tower .^ Where is 
Saph, the fearless, the invincible ? 

ELIAB pointing 

There he lies, Saph, fearless in death, invincible 
in death. 

ACHISH 
Slain! Saph, son of the Anakim! Take away 
the body of the dead, lest it strike cowards of 
us all. They remove the body, exeunt by l. 
Saph, son of Goliath, mighty one, thou who 
wast a bulwark in battle, hast been over- 
thrown by a very little thing. David, too, 
the high-hearted, the songful, how art thou 
[ 184 ] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 

silenced before this same arrow's prick, this 
small snake, winged and hissing. The three 
brothers return^ l. Enter from house, Michal. 

MICHAL 
He cries for water. 

ACHISH 
Who? 

MICHAL 
David. 

ACHISH 
David! He lives! 

MICHAL 
He is Jehovah's anointed. He cannot die till 
that he come unto his own. But he begs for 
water from the well without the gate. 

ELIAB 
The well without the eastern tower ! 

MICHAL 
The well of Gath below the eastern tower. 

SHAMMAH 
It is under the fiercest assault of the enemy. 

[185] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

ACHISH 
By the moon of Astarte, is he mad ? Does he not 
know that the battle rages and that it is 
death to venture below that wall, open to the 
arrows of Saul's bowmen ? 

MICHAL 
He is wild with fever. How can he know ? He 
is not himself and like a child he begs for wa- 
ter from the well without the gate. His blood 
is on fire. 

ELIAB 
I will go for the water. 

ACHISH 
You! 

ABINADAB AND SHAMMAH 
And I! 

ACHISH 
You that feared the eastern tower like the fires of 
Moloch! 

SHAMMAH 
We fear not now. 

MICHAL 
God be with you! 
Exeunt^ r, the three. 

[186] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 

ACHISH 
They were with fear palsied when I but spoke the 
name of that eastern tower. They were root- 
ed to the ground with fear. 

MICHAL simply 

But this is for David. 

ACHISH 

The very name has power. He mounts the steps 
to the wall and sounds of battle come from be- 
low. Courage! We shall yet win the day, 
though it be a costly one. Courage! 

Exit AcHiSH, L, by wall. Enter from house, 
Amasa and a Philistine, carrying David. 

AMASA 

Let him breathe the open air. 

MICHAL running to him 

A pillow, a pillow for his head ! 
They bring her silks and stuffs from the booth. 
She kneels by him. 
David, my lover! Will he not speak? 

AMASA 
My captain! No, he cannot speak! 

[187] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAL 
Ah, but he breathes, he Hves, Amasa. He will 

live. He will live to be king over my people. 

Will he not live ? 
The two young men, deeply moved, turn away, 
walking to r. 
David, look at me, hear me. I am Michal. 

AMASA 
He cannot hear. 

MICHAL 
This is the chain I have put upon you. Take it 
within your hand. It is a token of perfect 
understanding. David raises a hand grop- 
ingly. She puts the chain between his fingers. 
He hears. He understands. He looks at me 
with the seeing eye. She buries her face upon 
his breast in tender joy, 

DAVID faintly 

The flames creep over me. They consume me 
utterly. Water, water! 

AMASA 

He thirsts. What shall we bring him to drink ? 

[188] 






ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 

DAVID 
From the well of Gath, cold as snow-water from 
Hermon, pure as the waters of Bethlehem. 
Water, water! 

MICHAL 
They have gone to bring you water from the well. 
David relapses to unconsciousness. 

AMASA 
Who have gone? 

MICHAL 
His brothers. 

AMASA 
From the well of Gath ? 

MICHAL 
The well below the eastern tower. 

AMASA 
It was in jeopardy of their lives. 

MICHAL 
But it was for David. 

AMASA 
We will go to hasten them, to help them. 

[189] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAL 
Farewell. 
Exeunt, r, Amasa and the Philistine. 

DAVID delirious 

I will call them and they will hear me. I will sing. 
My harp! He gropes blindly, raising him- 
self. It is the dim and black night. I can- 
not find my harp. But they will hear my 
voice and they will know me. They will 
come into the fold. He sings. 

The Lord my shepherd is, 

I shall not want. 
In the green pastures shall I lie 

And walk beside still waters. 
The Lord my soul restores, 

He leadeth me 
In paths of righteousness 

For His name's sake. 

He sinks back exhausted. The noise of battle is 
heard. 

MICHAL 
Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician 
here, to heal the wound of my beloved, for 
his wound is grievous ? 
[ 190 ] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 

DAVID 
Jehovah thunders on Lebanon. The brooks of 

Kedron war among their water-courses. My 

sheep are lost on the mountains and they 

will not find their resting-place. 
Fragmentary memories of his life come to him, the 
happiness of his return from war to Gibeah, the 
song before Saul, the javelin-throwing, the parting 
in the Cave of Adullam. 

There is another song, but I have forgotten it. 
He sings hesitatingly. 
God is our refuge and strength, 
A very present help in trouble ; 

Therefore I will not fear 

He cries out as if in great terror. 

I am wounded, struck to the heart! O my lord 

king! 

MICHAL 

in an agony of sympathy 
Fear not, David my captain. My right hand is 

under your head and my left hand supports 

you. David, it is I. 

DAVID delirious 

This day shall you choose between a king's crown 
and Michal. I charge you, O Michal, to re- 
[191] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

member my love. Many — waters — cannot 
— quench — love, neither can the — floods — 
drown — it. She has forgotten. 

MICHAL 
David, my lover, I remember and I understand. 

DAVID 
She is far from me. Her thoughts are not my 
thoughts nor are her ways my ways. 

MICHAL pleadingly 

I have not forgotten. I remember and under- 
stand. 

DAVID 

Many waters cannot quench love. But — she — 

has — forgotten. 
He sings, falling asleep. 
There is a river the streams whereof shall make 

glad the City of God, 

The dwelling place 

MiCHAL, rising gently, looks at him. 

MICHAL 
He sleeps. The Lord gives his beloved sleep. 
Enter, 2 e l, Eglah and six Philistine women, in 
yellow and garlanded. They bear burning censers 

[192] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 

for the worship) of Astarte and a golden image of 
the goddess. They swing their censers and com- 
mence chanting. 

WOMEN 
Glory ! Glory ! 

MICHAL 
stepping forward with a finger to her lips 
Peace, peace, I entreat you. He sleeps. 

EGLAH 
What is that to us ? 

WOMEN 
Astarte, hear us! 

MICHAL 
Peace ! Is your heart a stone ? If you must sing 
and chant, sing lowly for he sleeps and sleep 
is life. 

WOMEN very softly 

Hear us, hear us. Queen of Heaven, 
Astarte, hear our prayer. 
Glory, glory, great is Astarte! 
MiCHAL directs them with arm outstretched like a 
choral leader. 

[193] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAL 
Softly, softly! The women, still chanting softly^ 
go within, l. Queen of Heaven! She hath 
been cut out of the forest with an axe and 
gilded with fine gold in the furnace. 
Enter, r, the three brothers with a water-skin of 
water. Michal meets them in silence. One of 
them brings her a goblet from the booth. Water is 
poured into it and Michal goes to David. Am as a 
appears from l on the wall. 

AMASA 
The army of the enemy flee. They turn them like 

locusts before the fiery whirlwind. 
David arouses. 

MICHAL 

holding the goblet to him 
Water from the well of Gath. 

DAVID 

taking the goblet wonderingly 
Water! 

MICHAL 
You prayed most earnestly for water from the well 
without the gate. 

[ 194 ] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 

DAVID 
A darkness has been upon my lids, but now it 
is day! Water from the well! 

MICHAL 
Your brothers brought it to you. Drink! 
David looks long at his three brothers standing 
near. 

ELIAB 

Drink! 

DAVID 

pouring out the water slowly 
Far be it from me that I should drink this cup! 
Let it be as an offering to heaven in memory 
of this day and in gratitude for the day's mer- 
cies. Is it not the blood of these men that 
went in jeopardy of their lives ? Lo, my 
thirst is quenched. He rises. Watchman, 
what of the night ? 

AMASA 
The night is over and past. The day dawns. 

DAVID 

How goes the battle ? 

[195] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAL by his side 

Have a care for your wound. 

DAVID 
I am healed and strong. 

AMASA 
Behold a herald comes running. He comes 
apace. He is near. 

DAVID 
Are there tidings in his mouth ? 

MICHAL 
What does he say ? 

A silence while Amasa listens. 

AMASA 
The general of the host of Israel has fallen. Abner 
has fallen. 

DAVID 
Tremble not, Michal. Jehovah will be merciful. 

AMASA 
Lo, another. He runs apace. He draws near. 

DAVID 

Another has fallen, one of the mighty. Ask him, 
Amasa, is Saul the king, safe, and Jonathan, 
his son? 

[ 196 ] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 

MICHAL 

What says the second messenger? Speak. 

AMASA 

Tidings, my lord David. For you are avenged 
this day of all that rose up against you to do 
vou hurt. 

DAVID 
They have not fallen in battle, Saul my king, and 
Jonathan, his son ? 

MICHAL 
Speak ! 

AMASA 
The enemies of my lord David and all that rise up 
against you to do you hurt be as they are this 
day! 
David in silence hows his head. Michal cries 
out. 

MICHAL 
Alas, my father, my brother! 

DAVID 
Jonathan, my friend, my brother, would God I 

had died for you, my brother, my friend ! 
Enter, l and r, Achish and Philistines, David's 

[197] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

followers and lastly Doeg, carrying Saul's crown 
and bracelet. 

ACHISH 
David, king of Israel, we salute you! 

ALL 

David, David, king! 

Enter, from the house, the Hebrew women. 

HEBREW WOMEN 
David of Bethlehem ! All hail ! 

MICHAL 
Alas, my father, my brother! 

DOEG 
David, king of Israel, I salute you ! 

DAVID in stern anger 

You also! 

DOEG 
My lord, when I learned the words of the prophet 
concerning you, I repented me of my blind- 
ness. Will it please you to pardon mine 
offences and accept at my hand these tokens 
of your sovereignty? 
Doeg advances with the crown. 

[ 198 ] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 

DAVID 

with repellent hand outstretched 

How know you that Saul and Jonathan are dead ? 

How went the matter ? I pray you, tell me ! 

DOEG 
As I happened by chance upon a certain spot in 
yonder plain, Saul leaned upon his spear 
and lo, the chariots and horsemen followed 
hard upon him. 

MICHAL 
Alas, my father! 

DOEG 
He saw me and called unto me and I said : " Here 
am I. " He said unto me : " Stand, I pray 
you, upon me, and slay me, for anguish is 
come upon me. " So I stood upon him and 
slew him. 

MICHAL, 
You! 

DOEG 
Because I was sure that he could not live after he 
was fallen in battle. And I took the crown 

and the bracelet that he wore on his arm 

[199] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

MICHAL 

approaching Doeg with im.petuous scorn 
You! Give them here. You are not worthy 

even to hold them. 
She takes them from Doeg. 

DAVID 

who has been listening with stony self-restraint 
How were you not afraid to stretch forth your 
hand to destroy the Lord's anointed.? He 
smites Doeg down. Solemnly. Carry him 
forth from this place. Doeg's body is taken 
up. His blood be upon his head, for his 
mouth has testified against him, saying, "I 
have slain the Lord's anointed. " 
Exeunt men with Doeg's body. 

MICHAL 
approaching David with the crown 
Your crown, O David, King of Israel ! 
David regards Michal in silence and unseeingly 
while all watch him in reverent awe. A vision- 
ary expression comes to his face and he lifts his 
arms in poetic exaltation of grief. 

DAVID 
The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places ; 
How are the mighty fallen! 

[ 200 ] 



ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 

How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the 

battle! 
Tell it not in Gath; publish it not in the streets of 

Askelon. 
Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, 
Neither let there be rain upon you, nor fields of 

offerings : 
For there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast 

away. 
The shield of Saul. 
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the 

mighty. 
The bow of Jonathan turned not back. 
And the sword of Saul returned not empty. 

Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in 

their lives. 
And in their death they were not divided : 
They were swifter than eagles. 
They were stronger than lions. 

Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, 
Who clothed you in scarlet with other delights, 
Who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel. 
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the 
battle! 

[201] 



DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 

Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. 

1 am grieved for you, my brother Jonathan ! 
Very pleasant hast thou been unto me, 
Thy love to me was wonderful. 

How are the mighty fallen. 

And the weapons of war perished ! 

The first rays of the rising sun illumine David's 

face. MiCHAL holds the crown before him. 

MICHAL 
Your crown, O David, King of Israel ! 

ALL 
All hail, David, King! 
David raises his hand in a gesture of silence. 

DAVID after a pause 

Michal, my queen ! 

He takes the crown and holds it above the bowed 
head of Michal. 

Curtain 



END OF PLAT 



[202] 



MARY MAGDALEN 



SYNOPSIS OF SCENES 

ACT ONE 

Scene : The House of Mary. 
"The Desire of the Eyes." 

ACT TWO 

Scene : The Pool of Bethesda. (Same Evening.) 

'♦ The Vexing of the Waters." 

ACT THREE 
Scene : The House of Mary. (Next Evening.) 

"If any man will come after Me let him deny himself and take 
up his cross and follow Me." 

ACT FOUR 

(Two months elapse.) 

Scene I : The House of the Wool-dyer. 

Scene H : The Porch of the Temple. 

"Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved much." 



PERSONS 



MARY MAGDALEN DEBORAH 

ZILLAH CLEO 

AZUBAH SHUBAB 

PHILIP THE TETRARCH BARUCH 

ELON SIMEON 

ITHOMAR JUDE 

RACHEL DATHAN 
JOANNA 



Servants, Soldiers, Men and Women. 



ACT I 

Scene: A luxurious a'partment in Mary's house. 
Musicians in a small balcony with Syrian instru- 
ments, harp, cymbal, tambourine. 2 exits l, 
respectively to the supper room and other rooms and 
to Mary's chamber, r e to the street. Wide lat- 
ticed window, c. Small table set with wine and 
fruits. Draped alcove between columns toward 
which attention is directed. 
Time — Afternoon. 

Discovered — Philip, the tetrarch, a pale pee- 
vish man, proud of his station and descent. Elon, 
a degenerate Jew, his sycophant creature, conspicu- 
ous for two teeth like tusks, beady eyes and a yellow 
scarf. ZiLLAH, friend of Mary, a morose beauty. 
AzuBAH, friend of Mary, a tender girl of childish 
mien. Others, women of doubtful gayety and 
men of arrogant bearing. All tend toward the cur- 
tained alcove, Philip and Azubah leading. 

PHILIP turning to Azubah 
Where is this marble wonder of a woman ? 

[207] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

ELON 

crowding to the alcove 
Was he a lover, too, the long-limbed Greek 
Who sculptured her? 

ZILLAH 

with a veiled sneer 
A friend platonic he, 
Set to the tune of poem and cyclic dance. 

AZUBAH 

holding aside the curtain 
Is it not exquisite as breath of spring ? 
That step like wind among the river grasses, 
That brow like morning on the top of Hermon ! 
Philip, entranced, cannot speak. 

ELON 
A woman, you waste praises on a woman. 

AZUBAH 
Because I am a woman I praise Mary. 

PHILIP confusedly 

The marble bosom and the lips of snow, 
This is not our sweet Syrian Aphrodite, 
The glowing-limbed, wild-tressed Bacchanal. 

[ 208 ] 



ACTONEiSCENEONE 

ELON ; 

Fresh as the Paphian from her bath of foam ! J 

PHILIP angrily 

Elon, I have not bid you whine for me, 
You lap-eared puppy of a puHng people ! I 

AZUBAH smilingly : 

Nay, be at peace! ' 

PHILIP as to a child ! 

Slip of a Jewish girl. 

Would you fain try your strength with Philip i 

tetrarch j 

Of wide-spread Auranitis, Itursea, 1 
Of Batansea and of Trachinitis ? 
Enter Mary, l c, followed by Shubab, a half-nude 

Ethiopian lad^ clad in garlands and fantastic dra- \ 

peries. All turn expectantly to her. Some lingering i 

sounds of the snarl from Philip. I 

MARY with breezy scorn j 

How blithesomely you pass the time together. 
Like jealous courtiers when the king is gone! \ 

PHILIP I 

leading her to a chair } 

The empress gone ! 

[ 209 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 

mimicking them in turn 
Brave Elon black as thunders 
Little Azubah plucking at proud Rome, 
A dove before a hawk — Shubab, fill up ! 
Shubab pours wine and passes it. 
Friends, let us eat and drink and all make merry, 
For on the morrow — what man knows the morrow ? 

ELON in his shallow voice 
To-morrow we shall live and still make merry. 

AZUBAH 

with wistful prevision of trouble 
Who knows the fruit to-morrow's tree puts forth ? 

PHILIP 

reclining by Mary, as the wine is passed him 
I need no wine to flame along my blood, 
Mary, when you are nigh. 

MARY 

Give me the beaker. 
Silence from all. 
I drink to — those I love. 

PHILIP 

To Philip, then! 
[ SIO ] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

MARY looking far off 

I drink this cup to one who shines afar. 
She drinks. 
Exclamations of wonder from all. 

PHILIP 
He is no lover if he comes not to you. 
Mary, leaning her elbow on the cushions^ seems 
lost in thought. 

ELON to ZiLLAH 

I wonder who he is. 

ZILLAH 

I know the man; 
'Tis Ithomar, the son of Ithrael. 

MARY 
So! Out upon you, voluble blabbing girl, 
With your "I know, I know," that nothing know. 
Your eyes have never looked on Ithomar. 

AZXJBAH peacemaker again 

When I was in my mother's house a child 

She hesitates. 

ELON eagerly 

Go on. 
All listen. 

[211] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

AZUBAH 
This Ithomar was neighbor to us, 
The prettiest lad through all the country-side. 

MARY 

with assumed carelessness 
They say his beauty is transcendent still. 
Like one of those fair fabled gods the Greek 
Has sung me of upon his barbarous lyre. 
Again she goes into rapt thought. 

PHILIP 

to depreciate Ithomar 
I have heard he calls himself a patriot. 
This Jewish fellow, in your Sanhedrin, 
And crassly fools your scribes and Pharisees 
With foolish dreams of civic independence. 

ELON 
like a gossiping old woman. All gather round him 
to listen 

He has ranged through land and sea, this Itho- 
mar; 
He has a vase of alabaster, carved 
With cunning workmanship of flower and leaf 
And human countenances interwrought. 

[ 212 ] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

ZILLAH 
They say he keeps it in a secret shrine 
And worships it in place of love or wine. 
Mary rises, goes to the group, interrupting impe- 
riously. 

MARY 
This vase of alabaster shall be ours. 
Hark ye, 'twill be the ransom of my favor. 
Poised like a trophy on that pedestal. 

ALL 
The statue then? 

MARY 
What care I for the statue, 
When I have won the mystic, worshipful. 
Strange, alabaster vase of Ithomar, 
Symbol and pledge of utter vanquishment 
Before the banners of resplendent love. 
Listen, my friends, I bid you to a feast. 
When three more suns have risen and wheeled 

and ^et, 
I bid you to the triumph of the vase. 

ZILLAH to Elon 

Her heart is fixed on snaring Ithomar; 

She hath asked him many a time 

[213] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 

What babble you ? 

ZILLAH 
I spoke 

MARY 
If babble may be speech — you spoke, 
And this is what under your breath you spoke, 
(I do not fear to cry it out aloud) 
That I have bidden to me Ithomar. 
I drink again to Ithomar — our guest — 
To Ithomar, philosopher and — man. 
She drinks and with her all but Philip 

PHILIP sneeringly 

'Tis well ; but not philosopher and lover. 
For he who loves does not philosophize. 

ZILLAH to Elon 

He never looks on women ; he will not come. 

MARY 
What babble you again ? He will not come ? 
He never looks on women ? Still, forsooth. 
To women he may be blind and not to me. 
I am not one in many, in the mob 

[ 214 ] 






ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

PHILIP 
One out of many, one supremely set; 
Drinking. 
To Mary, burning goddess of the east ! 

MARY 
I have learned that Bacchic dance you pictured 

me. 
That mad lonians dance beneath the moon 
To their Astarte-goddess. 

PHILIP 

Aphrodite ? 

MARY 
It matters not. The sculptor was my master. 

PHILIP 

The long-limbed fellow! 

ALL 

Dance, show us the dance! 

MARY 

She frees herself of scarfs and draperies. To the 
musicians: 

The music should breathe tenderly at first 
As that faint little fluttering breeze of dawn 

[ 215 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

That wakes the birds and shakes the ohve buds ; 
Afterward, hke slow swelHng of the storm 
When white with anger gleams the horizon edge. 
Till all the world keeps furious carnival 
And witch winds ride atop the tossing hills. 
She dances, slowly at first, then more madly with 
the crescendo of music. During the second move- 
ment comes a knock at the door. She stops ab- 
ruptly. 
Who knocks ? 

ZILLAH 
Perhaps your Ithomar, philosopher. 
A knock. All lean expectantly to the door 

MARY 

Who knocks ? Go, Shubab, to the door. 
Shubab opens the door. Enter Deborah, an 
aged woman with cavernous eyes, her figure and 
voice shaken hy palsy. 

There is a start of surprise and a movement hack- 
ward from her. 

DEBORAH 

in hollow shaken tones 
Servant of Ithomar the patriot. 
Unwilling to the House of Shame I come. 

[216] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

She sees her daughter Azubah, and her voice 
breaks. Azubah shrinks farthest of all from her. 
Azubah ! 

AZUBAH 

shrinking to Mary's side 
Mother! 
To Mary. 
Save me, save me from her. 

MARY 
That parchment piece, written upon by horror! 
She hath often cursed me when I walked abroad; 
How may this ancient and misshapen tree, 
Azubah, put forth such a flower as thou 
And serve that son of beauty, Ithomar ? 

DEBORAH 
I bear a message for him. 

MARY running to her 

Happy woman! 
Good dame, you are an angel messenger; 
Dear crone, will he come hither to my house ? 

DEBORAH drawing away 

Nay, touch me not, accursed loveliness ! 
The word I bear is for, not from my master; 
One told me he had passed within your gate. 

[217] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 
Then out upon you, out, gray spectre-thing, 
You gaunt and shaken evil-omening thing. 

DEBORAH her voice rising 
Yea, verily, I will out with full content 
When I have called the curse of heaven upon you. 
Harlot, your fingers are the touch of death, 
Harlot, your feet the highway unto hell. 
What if I was the old misshapen tree, 
I bore one flower, now I am desolate ; 
You have reft me of my sole, my cherished flower, 
You have sown its petals in the miry streets 
Where men may trample it. Azubah child. 
My child ! Nay, never any more at all 
My child that was, but lost irreparably! 

AZUBAH 
I am afraid! 

As Deborah raises her trembling finger in cursing 

Mary draws Azubah to her. 

MARY 
Not her ! Ah, curse not her ! 

DEBORAH 
Both you and her and her and you again. 
Cursed thou shalt be when thou comest in 

[218] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

And when thou goest out, accursed be; 
In hunger and in thirst, in nakedness, 
In want of all things shalt thou eat the dust, 
A proverb and a byword and a sign : 
With madness, blindness, violent vexation. 
With burning and astonishment of heart, 
The sword of vengeance of Jehovah smite thee ! 
Exit Deborah. Azubah faints in Mary's arms. 

MARY 
Look, the poor soul, she faints within my arms. 
The men lay her on a couch. She opens her eyes 
and raises herself. 

AZUBAH 
The room went reeling. Pardon ye my weakness. 

MARY 

Now let us drown the horror of that voice, 
Obliterate the vision of that presence. 
Musicians, play; harp, cymbal, tambourine. 

PHILIP 

Pouring wine as the music begins and people move 
about. All drink and laugh hysterically. 
You, too, are pale beyond your wont. Drink this ; 
It is Falernian, rich with Italy. 

[ 219 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

Maky takes the goblet. \ 

Do you not taste the purple of Campagna ? j 
Mary sifs and dashes the goblet down so that it 

breaks. \ 

MARY I 

I taste — a voice of blighting and of vengeance; \ 

I taste — of trembling and of desolation. ■ 

Why do you stand and stare like images ; 

Of stony-eyed Egyptians on their tombs ? \ 

Dance and forget! ; 

AzuBAH rouses herself to join in the dance with ! 

Elon. i 
All dance 

MARY stopping , 
I heard a sound, a knock. 

All stop. I 

Shubab, the door. ■ 
He goes to the door. 

No living soul is there ? j 

It was the blood that knocked against my heart. j 
They dance again. She keeps looking at the 

statue. ; 

PHILIP i 
What see you there between the marble columns ? 

[ 220 ] ; 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

MARY 

pointing to the statue 
It follows me with that still moonlight smile, 
Like one who hugs a terrible calm knowledge. 
She goes to the statue impulsively as if to cast it 
down. Philip and Elon restrain her. 
I will grind the graven image into powder; 
Who says It is my image ? It is death, 
Blind death, the pitiful and pitiless. 

AZUBAH 
I have seen her once before in mood like this. 
There, Zillah, let us draw the Tyrian curtain. 
They draw the curtain, concealing the statue in its 
niche. 

MARY 

to Philip, her mood swiftly changing 
What splendid height, O Philip, son of Herod, 
Like some tall savage sentinel, elect 
To guard all night a dead king's towering tomb. 
She measures her height with his. 
Where do I come against this noble bulwark ? 

PHILIP embracing her 

Unto my heart. 

[ 221 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 

'Twas gallantly conceived; 

A gallant lie, as praise is wont to be. 

Taking Azubah's liand and drawing her to Philip. 

Little Azubah stands beneath your arm, 

A Syrian dove within the eagle's wing — 

A knock. 

Now will your gallant lie become half truth — 

Azubah looks fondly upon Philip. The knock is 

repeated. Calmly: 

Shubab, some message. 

To Philip: 

Do not frown upon her! 

PHILIP with self-conceit 

I swear she loves me better for the frown. 
Shubab ushers Ithomar into the room. Itho- 
MAR is a man of singular beauty, with an air of 
deep thought and aloofness. He is followed by 
his servant, who removes Ithomar's sandals and 
hands them to Shubab. Exit, with low obeisance, 
servant. 

SHUBAB 
'Tis Ithomar, the son of Ithrael ! 

MARY 
My welcome to you, son of Ithrael ! 

[222] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

ITHOMAE 
Is this the house of Mary? 

MARY 

Even so; 
I am that Mary called of Magdala. 
Have you not seen me on the streets abroad, 
For far and wide I am known in Cesarea ? 
Behold these gems that glitter on my arms, 
And on my brow, thick clustered like a crown. 
There is no other woman save a queen 
Who shines like me. 

ITHOMAR 

I walk with downcast eyes, 
My mistress is pure-lipped Philosophy. 

MARY laughing 

The pity of it ! These my guests do greet you : 
The noble Philip, tetrarch, governor. 
Azubah, Zillah, Elon, all your slaves. 
All salute him. 

ITHOMAR bowing 

You do me honor. 

Mary seats herself and motions him to sit beside 
her. He sits at the other end of the divan. The 
guests move away in merry groups. 

[223] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 

What, so far from me ? 
I am not to be feared. 

ITHOMAR 

I fear all women. 

MARY 
But I am not as other women are. 
She laughs. 

O you philosophers, who search for truth 
As women sweep the dust up from the floor, 
Gathering into one vessel tags and frays 
Of earth's diverse material, saying : " Dust ! " 

ITHOMAR 
It is a woman's quaint comparison. 
Philosophers and sweepers with their brooms ! 

MARY 
So do you sweep a hundred women up 
Into the potter's vessel of some preconceived 
Shape in your mind, pronouncing, " This is Wom- 
an!" 

ITHOMAR 
Nay, I have never known a hundred women. 

[ 224 ] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

MARY 
If you had said, " I fear not other women, 
But you I fear, O Mary ! " ... See that girl ! 
Her head turned sideways Hke a prying sparrow! 
She wonders at the theme of our discourse, 
She is the placid ox-like kind of woman. 

ITHOMAR 
I like a silent woman. 

MARY 

You shall have her. 
Silence between them, while in another part of the 
room Philip and Elon confidentially converse. 

PHILIP 
This most objectionable Ithomar, 
This human mildew on our rosy fruit, 
Requires the medicine of a pruning knife; 
They say he is a fiery patriot. 
Inflames the Sanhedrin to mutiny 

ELON 
A casual mischance is easier 
Than cumbersome intrigue of polity; 
A scuffle, a street affray, removes a man; 
The blame uncertain 

[225] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

PHILIP 

And your point most clear. 
I send two fellows primed with certain sneers ; 
At a certain place they meet a certain man — 
Some fine Rabbinical dispute ensues. 
Waxing more gross with argument of fists 
Until a fray is ripe; a passer-by 
— It might be Elon — claps to bring the guard; 
A certain most objectionable man 
Is haled to prison without more ado. 

ELON 
But Ithomar is much reputed here. 

PHILIP 
Incendiary patriot! 

ELON 
It is true. 

PHILIP 
His friends in friendliness will raise no cry 
For fear of worse if Caesar is aroused 
To knowledge of him. Then we understand ? 

MARY rising 

In such a chattering crowd of noisy sparrows 
There is not peace for thoughts to pass between. 
Zillah, Azubah, lead our friends to supper. 

[226] , 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
AZUBAH 



Will you not come ? 



MAEY 
We join you presently. 



ZILLAH with biting raillery 
Pray you, be merciful to Ithomar; 
Bread is the best boon to a hungry man. 

PHILIP sneeringly 

But Ithomar is a philosopher. 
Exeunt ally 1 e l. 

MARY 

Now you shall have your silent, ox-like woman, 
The big-eyed, sluggish, sleepy-lidded creature. 
You doubt it ? I could sit for hours, I swear. 
Upon this cushion with my feet crossed so, 
My hands like this, folded upon my lap. 
As dumb-lipped as the golden cherubim. 
Do you not like it ? 

ITHOMAR 

What.? 

MARY 

The silent woman. 
[227] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

ITHOMAE 
You have not shown me yet. 

MARY 

Now I begin. 

A minute or two of silence during which Ithomar 

sits looking toward Mary but absorbed in thought. 

Mary crosses and uncrosses her feet. A burst of 

laughter from the other room. Zillah and Elon 

come to the door. 

ZILLAH to Elon 

They sit Hke stones. 

To Mary: 

What, still so far from him ? 
Exeunt and a burst of laughter following their re- 
turn to the other room. Ithomar rises and walks 
to the R E. 

MARY 

rising and following 
You are not leaving — leaving me — alone ? 
I have — I have — (my heart crowds fast my utter- 
ance) 
I have a thousand themes of converse with you — 
And yet I liked you, wrapped in silence there, 
A prophet's robe, invisible, austere. 
I liked you, Ithomar. . . . What did you say ? 

[ 228 ] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

ITHOMAR 
I did not speak. 

MARY 
I thought I heard you say 
You liked me in my marble-smiUng silence. 
They tell me I am sculptured in such lines 
As those god-women of the gentile Greeks. 
I thought I heard you say you liked my speech 
Even better than my marble-smiling silence. 
Confess, did not your heart say this ? 

ITHOMAa 

No, Mary. 
I have no heart for you or — other women. 
Farewell. 

MARY 
I will not brook it, Ithomar. 
You are a lover of the beautiful. 
Behind that Tyrian stuff there is a block 
Of marble, sculptured to a certain shape 
Your eyes would fain behold. 
He goes to it. 

Patience awhile. 
You would not be the schoolboy at the feast, 
Snatching his fig or cake, off like an arrow. 
Why did you come if you must straightway go ? 

[229] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

ITHOMAR 
I came — to pass away an idle hour; 
I came — to leave you and philosophize; 
I come and — go, a sage philosopher. 

MARY 
You came, you shall not go philosopher. 
A snatch of voices and laughter from the other room. 
Hark, here is love and laughter, song and wine. 
And woman, woman suing at your feet. 
Are you not moved by woman, Ithomar ? 

ITHOMAR 
Once I was moved by woman, long ago; 
'Twas long ago. 

MARY 
You have a carven vase 
Worshipped, I vow, for some sweet woman's sake. 
During the speech of Mary's, Ithomar advances 
to the niche and finally is about to draw the cur- 
tains when she restrains him. 

ITHOMAR 
What do you mean ? 

MARY 

That alabaster vase 
Housed in a shrine apart. Bring it to me 

[230] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

And I will give you breathing living beauty. 
Were not a woman better than a stone ? 
The vase would crown that statue's pedestal — 
(Patience awhile and I will draw the veil) 
And you would set some girl within your shrine. 

ITHOMAR 
Smiling^ to draw her on, wondering, half-guessing 
her meaning. 
What girl? 

MARY 

Azubah, Zillah, many a woman, 
Would worship even the ground on which you 

walk 
For the brief guerdon of your smile or kiss. 

ITHOMAR 
withstanding her allurement 
I know not how to kiss. 

MARY 

Let me be teacher; 
Taste of my lips and you will soon forget 
The barren bosom of philosophy. . . 
Sudden veer of tone. 
You madden me with that far gaze of yours. 

[231 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

You look at me as through an open gate, 
Seeing beyond a vision shut from me. 
You madden me with that pale cheek of yours. 
Why have you come to vex my peace of mind ? 

ITHOMAR 

Why have you bid me come ? 

A pause during which several purposes in turn 

are reflected on her face. 

MARY 

Because — I love you. 

ITHOMAR 
You love me ! What a honey-trap you set 
To snare our rainbow boylets on the wing ; 
I am no long-billed humming-bird like Elon. 
Do women such as you know how to love ? 

MARY 
Oft have I marked you in our Cesarea, 
With that uplifted solitary mien, 
Like one of those great prophets of our race. 
Wild Hosea or flaming Jeremiah. 
Oft have I marked you, saying in mine heart, 
" Bow down, O Mary, to your chosen lord. " 
Master, be merciful unto your own. 

[ 232 ] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

ITHOMAR 
Remain one moment in that perfect poise. 
Now lift your head and look at me — like that. 
Men speak the truth that you are beautiful. 

MARY 
If I am beautiful to you, enough. 

ITHOMAR 

advancing to the concealed statue 
You have enchanted me to stay too long ; 
Before we part, show me your sculptured image, 
For sculpture pleases my philosophy; 
Beauty remote and pale and visionary. 
Conceits of handicraft, dreams of the mind, 
Images all, people my soul's demesne; 
I have done long since with sharp reality. 
Before we part show me your sculptured image, 
Thus you may live in marble memory. 

MARY with fierce scorn 

May live in marble memory, Ithomar, 
When I would live and breathe within your 

arms ! 
Are you a stone in semblance of a man ? 

[233] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

ITHOMAR 

bantering gracefully 
Show me the sculptured image and mayhap 
Its pictured lovehness may melt the stone. 
Then seriously: 

I have made a vow which must not be for- 
sworn; 
I keep a tryst to-night. 

MARY 

in disbelief, then with many varying emotions 

A tryst you keep! 
Who is this other woman, you that plead 
You never look on woman, who is she ? 
Is she a student of *' philosophy, " 
Scowling on parchment scrolls and cryptic speech ? 
Oh, I can fancy her with eyebrows bent 
And thin lips drawn ; or is she some young girl, 
A folded bud of virtue with shy lids 
Drooping upon her baby damask cheek ? 
Has she deep eyes that melt into your own 
And arms that cling like this, like this, my lord ? 
Hush, I will show to you the sculptured image: 
Behold it and then say, "I keep a tryst, 
A tryst to-night with Mary Magdalen. " 
She draws the curtain and shows the statue. Itho- 

[ 234 ] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

MAR, regarding it in silence^ seems deeply moved, 
turns away, 

ITHOMAR 

with strange earnestness 
I see another woman sculptured here. 
God of my race, it is beyond behef ! 
The well-remembered posture of the hand. 
The blithesome brow, the soft elusive smile — 
Oh, that lost springtime in the isle of Rhodes ! 

MARY 
Whose likeness do you see ? 

ITHOMAR 

Sacred her name. 

MARY 
It is that other woman, I know, I know ! 
Enter softly and smoothly the servant of Ithomar, 
a bland and dutiful creature. 

SERVANT 
My master! 
Both turn. 

Ithomar, the hour draws nigh. 

ITHOMAR 
Where is the appointed place ? 

[2B5] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

SERVANT 

Bethesda's pool. 

ITHOMAR 
I will make haste. 

To Mary: 

Farewell. 
He turns to go. 

MARY 

You shall not go! 
One moment stay, my master and my lord ! 
Exit Ithomar. To the servant: 
Whom has he gone to meet, your Ithomar ? 
Mary of Magdala, I, command you speak ! 

SERVANT blandly 

The business of the servant is to serve. 
My master comes and goes and says his say; 
I, having eyes, see not, and having ears, 
Hear not, and having lips, am dumb. 
The business of the servant is to serve. 
Exit Servant, r, with elaborate bow. 

MARY 

after a momenfs pause 
I will after him and wrest the secret from him. 
Exit Mary, r, and enter Philip and Elon, drunk 
and excited^ from l. 

[ 236 ] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

PHILIP 
She's mine, she's mine. 

ELON 
Nay, I have bought her from you. 

PHILIP 
You drunken fool, she's mine. 

ELON 

Mary is yours, 
Worth a whole netful of these lesser minnows. 

PHILIP 
I'll have them all. 

ELON 
Azubah shall be mine. 

PHILIP 
We'll play at dice for her. 

ELON 

approaching^ with Philip, to the table 

So be it, then. 
They shake the cups. 

PHILIP 
I first! 

He throws. 

The furies take it. 

[237] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

ELON throwing 

Luck be mine ! 
The unlucky throw again. A tie. 

PHILIP 

Once more. 
His throw turns up the highest number. 
It's Aphrodite! 

ELON 
after this, his second throw 
Pssh, I get the dog! 

PHILIP 
She's mine, by Aphrodite ! 
AzuBAH appears at l. 

AZUBAH lightly 

Wrangling still? 
What sly design are you two scheming at ? 

PHILIP 
Congratulate me. I have won at dice. 
Exeunt l. Enter, r, Mary. 

MARY 
His soul's desire ! Beside Bethesda's pool ? 
His soul's desire, the woman of the statue ! 

[ 238 ] 



ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 

The spirit Zaxus hid within the statue ! 
It was not I, It was a stranger soul; 
It mocked me with a semblance of myself; 
Even while I danced It followed, mocking me 
With that strange moonlight smile I never wore. 
She approaches the statue y hurling fiercely words 
at it. 

At last I see my look fade utterly 
From out your face ; a naked lie you stand, 
Tricking him with some charm of memory. 
Luring him from me with that moonlight smile. 
I hate you, hate you, hate you, other woman! 
As she enters the alcove she pulls the curtain be- 
hind her so that she remains unseen while her 
voice is heard. 

Do you deem that you shall trample out my life, 
Moveless and wordless marble necromancer ? 
Lie there and there and there ! Lie in the dust ! 
The crash of the statue is heard. All rush in from 
the other room. 

ZILLAH 
I heard a crash. 

ELON 
Something has fallen. 
[239] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

AZUBAH 

Drawing the curtain. ; 

Ah look! i 
Mary is shown, kneeling, with her head on the \ 
pedestal, the statue in fragments about her. \ 

PHILIP trying to raise her \ 
What foul mischance befell the marble statue ? \ 
Small wonder that she grieves the broken statue. \ 

ZILLAH acridly i 

What ample room for vase of Ithomar ! 

MARY 1 

You speak the truth. i 

To all. j 

Forget not ye of my feast! \ 

ALL 

The feast, the feast, the triumph of the vase. \ 

i 
MARY I 

Bring me my veil, my cloak, Azubah girl. I 

She goes to the table and pours herself a cup of wine. ' 

Drink to the road ! This night I make a journey, j 

She lifts the cup. 1 

Curtain ' 

;j 

END OF ACT I ! 

[240] J 



ACT II 

Scene : The pool of Bethesda in a bleak and deso- 
late country without the wall. Stone steps lead 
down to the water's edge. 
Late afternoon. 

Discovered — A group of maimed and impotent 
folk gathered about the pool, waiting for the troub- 
ling of the waters. Among them are Deborah, 
the palsied woman; Simeon, a blind man; Ba- 
RUCH, a humpback; Joanna, a placid middle-aged 
wom^an; and Rachel, a wistful child. 

SIMEON 
There's a burning in my eyes, as if a thousand 
Httle ants were eating them. I half beheve 
it's ants that trouble them. When the blind- 
ness first swam over me — it was on the thresh- 
ing-floor of Naaman the son of 

JOANNA 
Peace, Simeon, we have heard the story a hundred 
times. 

[241] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

BARUCH 
Joanna, you are a comfortable body to stop poor 
Simeon's mouth. 

JOANNA 
It is not only folks as looks puny and wears 
bunches that has the right to claim sickness. 
I am taken many a time with dizzy spells so 
that I like to fall on the floor, all a-heap. It's 
the dyestuffs I am always working in that go 
to the head of me. 

DEBORAH 
Little Rachel, you are silent, what is your plaint ? 

RACHEL 
I have no plaint. I am only waiting for the spirit 
to come and vex the water, and then we shall 
all be well. 

SIMEON 
Who is speaking ? It sounds like a child's voice. 
Who are you ? 

RACHEL 
I am Rachel. 

SIMEON 
Why are you here with us old impotent folk? 
Come here and let me put my hand upon 
[ M^ ] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

your head. You are a child. You ought to 
be running and dancing. 

RACHEL 
But I am lame, I cannot come to you. I don't 
know how to run and dance. 

JOANNA 

She is my sister's child. She speaks the truth. 

SIMEON 
Poor lamb, I am sorry for you. I would give 
you my sound legs. 

RACHEL 
I would give you my good eyes and then you 
could see. It is sad to be blind. 

BARUCH 
Look, look, there's a ripple in the pool where all 
was still. 

DEBORAH 

The Spirit! 

All clamber down to the lowest step ready to dip 

their feet. Rachel, forgotten, is left behind. 

RACHEL 
I am left alone. 

[243] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

BARUCH 
Be very still. 

DEBORAH 
Watch! Listen! 

JOANNA 
It is nothing, Baruch. The Spirit has gone again. 
All climb back to their original places. 

SIMEON 
Where is Rachel ? 

RACHEL 
I am here. I have not stirred. 

JOANNA 
We all forgot you. 

RACHEL 
Simeon, how can you see so well to get down to 
the water's edge when you are blind ? 

SIMEON 
Child, I have travelled this path for twice your 
years. 

RACHEL 
And all that time the Spirit did not come ! Alas ! 

SIMEON 
Yes, the Spirit came, but on those days when I 
kept the house. 

[ 2M ] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

BARUCH 
That's always the way of Hfe. Stay at home and 
everything happens abroad. Go out, and no 
good thing comes near you. 

SIMEON 
I hear some one walking. 

JOANNA 
There's no one by but us. 

SIMEON 
I hear some one walking. 

RACHEL 
I see her, a very beautiful lady. 
Enter, r, Mary. 

JOANNA 
Now she will purse her mouth and now she will 
draw up her fine raiment 

BARUCH 
And pass on the other side of the street. 

RACHEL 
She is standing still. 

MARY 
Is this the pool of Bethesda ? 

[ 245 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

JOANNA 
It is the pool of Bethesda. 

MARY 

Who are ye ? 
Silence. 

BARUCH to Joanna 

Answer her. 

JOANNA 

She says : " Who are we ? " 

SIMEON 
Who are we? 

JOANNA to Mary 

We are what you see with your eyes. 

RACHEL 
We are poor impotent folk, the halt and withered 
and blind. 



What do ye here ? 
Silence. 

Answer her. 



MARY 



BARUCH 



JOANNA 



to Joanna 



She says : " What do we here ? 

[ me ] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

SIMEON 
What do we here ? 

DEBORAH 

not having looked at Mary 
Why does she want to know ? 

MARY 
What do ye here ? 

JOANNA 
We do what you see with your eyes. 

RACHEL 
We are waiting for the troubling of the waters, 
when we shall go down into the pool and be 
healed of all our sickness. 

JOANNA 
The Spirit, the Spirit ! 
All watch intently in attitudes of readiness. 

DEBORAH 
It came — and went again. There was something 
troubled it 

SIMEON 
Who is that strange woman, Joanna .'' • 

JOANNA to Mary 

Yes, who are you ? 

Deborah tu7'ns for the first time to look at Mary. 

[247] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

DEBORAH 
Who are you with your bracelets and your wim- 
ples, 
Your purple and your scarlet and fine linen ? 
I know you, you embroidered harlotry; 
'Tis you have vexed the Spirit of the pool. 
You have vexed him with the perfume of your feet, 
The delicate odor of your abomination. 

JOANNA 
Who is she? 

BAKUCH 

Who is she ? 

SIMEON 
How still she stands ! 

DEBORAH 

She is that Mary, called of Magdala. 

She has driven away salvation from Bethesda. 

BARUCH 
Leave us alone, O Mary Magdalen. 

JOANNA 
I pray you, quickly go ! 

SIMEON 
How still she stands ! 

[ 248 ] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

ALL 

Go, go, accursed woman, Magdalen. 

MARY 
How dare you, maimed and halt and impotent folk, 
How dare you vent such insolence on me ? 
Withered old women, humps of hideous men. 
Knotted and gnarled and crouched like stumps or 

stones ! 
I would pity you if you were fit for pity; 
What right have you to strow the public way. 
Blotching it with your ragged shreds of bodies ? 
Here, take the gold I throw you and begone. 
She scatters gold to them. 

ALL 
Nay, touch us not ! Keep off, for you are evil. 
They scatter to go, all hut Rachel 

JOANNA 
We will not touch her gold, for it is evil. 

SIMEON 
Lead me away from her, for she is evil. 
Exeunt all. Rachel "puts out her handsy crying 
after them. 

MARY 
Why do you cry here, trembling like a leaf, 

[249] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

With that sheet face of yours and those bright 
eyes ? 

RACHEL 
I am afraid because they called you evil. 

MARY 
Up, then, and run, you little peaked thing ! 
Run from the evil enchantment of my eyes. 
She approaches Rachel with vehement gesture, 

RACHEL pleadingly 

Lady, I cannot run. 

MARY 
You cannot run ? 

RACHEL 
I can just walk — like this. It hurts me, lady, 
For I am lame. 

MARY 
Poor little frightened one! 
I am sorry, I am very sorry for you ; 
Will you forgive me ? 

RACHEL 
Yes, but do not touch me. 



You fear me ? 



MARY 
[250] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

RACHEL 
For they said that you were evil. 

MARY 

They shuddered at me, all those halt and blind. 
Am I abominable in your eyes ? 

RACHEL 
Lady, I think that you are like an angel. 

MARY 
Dear Rachel ! But my soul is sick within. 

RACHEL 
Here let us wait together by the pool 
And when the Spirit comes we shall be cured. 

MARY 
Long have you waited by Bethesda's pool ? 

RACHEL 
I have waited long, but when the cry goes up 
They all step down before me to the waters 
In eager haste and Rachel is forgotten. 

MARY lifting her 

I will carry you, dear child, within my arms; 
You shall not be forgotten any more. 
What a little weight you are within my arms ! 

[ 251 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

She puts her down. 

It were a blessed pool to cure your body. 

Ah me ! 

RACHEL 
Why are you sad ? 

MARY 
I, too, am sick. 
Would that there were some waters of Bethesda 
To wash away the anguish of the soul ! 

RACHEL 
There is a Stranger here in Cesarea 
Who cures men's souls, I heard Joanna say. 
He has a face that shineth like a star 
And little children love to follow Him — 
You are not listening! 

MARY 

No, I cannot listen 
To childish babble when my heart is faint. 
Rachel, do you know one named Ithomar ? 

RACHEL 
Ithomar, ever smiling with sad eyes ! 
I know him. 

MARY 
Have you seen him here this eve '^ 
[ 252 ] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

RACHEL 
He will come here beside this quiet pool. 

MARY 
Soon he will come ? O, foolish heart of mine, 
Be still ! What woman, Rachel, will he meet ? 
Surely among these halt and maimed and blind 
Ithomar does not seek his heart's desire ! 
Who is the woman of the trysting-place ? 

RACHEL 
I fear you now with that uplifted hand. 

MARY 
Child, speak the truth or I will wring it from you. 
No, no, I do not wish to be so fierce ; 
Child, lay your little hand against my heart 
And feel its furious pace ; now answer me ! 
Who is the person of his pledge to-night ? 

RACHEL 
I, Rachel, am the person of his pledge. 

MARY 
With you and with none other.? 

RACHEL 

Yes, with me, 
For I can tell him what he craves to know. 

[253] 



MARY MAGDALEN \ 

- -S 

MARY j 

His heart's desire, the thing he craves to know ! | 

RACHEL 

He craves to know where Jesus bides to-night, | 

The shining Stranger who is Jesus Christ. : 
Ithomar craves to follow Him to-night. 
And hear His words, it may be speak with Him; 

This is the news I hold for Ithomar. ' 

MARY i 

The shining Stranger who is Jesus Christ ! 

Verily, I have never heard of Him. | 

i 
RACHEL 

Mary, do you desire to speak with Him ? ■ 

MARY 
With whom? 

RACHEL j 

With Jesus Christ, that shining One! | 

i 

MARY j 

Child, chatter not of one unknown to me. j 

Enter Ithomar, l. ' 

Ithomar! \ 

j 

She springs up. i 

By what happy chance we meet ! ] 

[ 254 ] 1 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

ITHOMAR 
If that be chance which seems determination. 
Rachel, what is the word ? 

RACHEL 

Sir, He will bide 
At Simeon's house to-night beyond the gate. 

MARY 
You are cheating me with falseness, you and she. 
You go to meet some drooping lily girl — 
Nay, nay, you wear the brow of stainless truth; 
Linger a while and let me learn from you 
A little of this great philosophy, 
I the disciple, sitting at your feet. 
And you the rabbi, reverend, inspired. 

RACHEL 
Sir, He will bide at Simeon's house to-night. 

MARY 

And then when dark steals on us from the hills 
We will walk homeward slowly to my house, 
Captives of love within his golden leash. 

RACHEL 
Sir, He will bide beyond the gate to-night. 

[255 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

ITHOMAR 
Mary of Magdala, save your golden leash 
For Philip and the silken slaves of Rome. 
Waste not your lures on one who loves them not, 
Who seeks to solve the question of the world.* 
He begins to go out, r. 

RACHEL 
I pray you, let me walk and hold your hand 
Until we reach my house. 

ITHOMAR lifting her 

Is this not better ? 
Exeunty b, Ithomar and Rachel. 

MARY 

Gone! lured by a limping, lisping child! 

Gone ! led by the crooked finger of a question ! 

Blindfolded by vagaries of a rabbi ^ 

'Tis too fantastic-foolish to be real. 

He makes a secret tryst with some fair woman, 

And shall I wait while he beyond the walls 

Toys with the tresses of that drooping girl .? 

Yes, I will wait, with vengeance fierce and sudden, 

To quench that dreamy smile upon his face 

And smother his last speech upon my lips 

With the mortal, cruel kiss of expiation. 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

Enter, l, Dathan and Jude, two skulking and 
low-browed fellows. 

DATHAN 
Here's the appointed spot. 

JUDE 
The man's not here. 

DATHAN 
There's a woman yonder. 

JUDE 

What of the woman ? We are late in getting to 

our business and shall miss our reward. 

DATHAN 
Good woman, what do you know of one Ithomar ? 

MARY turning 

I know little of him and that little not good. 

JUDE 
She is the mettle for us. She will give us the 
scent. 

DATHAN 

Yet it is wise to speak dissembling. Woman, we 
are friends to Ithomar and heard he passed 
this way. 

[ 257 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 
You have scarcely the looks of gentle philosophers, 
friends to Ithomar. You are more like 
money-lenders or scurvy scribes. 

DATHAN 
So please you, we have business with him. 

MARY 
There is a stealthy flavor to your word " business " 
that smacks ill for Ithomar. The business 
that prospers best when lights are out and 
good wives abed. If your business is of that 
sort, may you prosper is my wish. He will 
get no more than his deserts, I swear to it. 

JUDE 

Where is he, then ? 

MARY 
He went thither, to the house of Simeon beyond 
the gate. 

DATHAN to JuDE 

One of these jilted creatures she, and he, a 
woman-hater ! 

JUDE to Mary 

You had best betake yourself hence. 
Exeunt the men. 

[258] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

MARY 

They skulk like dogs upon a carrion-track. 

It seems that Ithomar has an enemy 

And these the creatures sent to pay his debt. 

I half regret to share their hounding him; 

Rather with my own hands to pay my debt, 

Wipe the score clean with one stroke of the sponge, 

Laughing aloud, " Quits ! I have done with you. " 

Enter, attended by offlcerSy Philip, the tetrarch, 

from R. 

Philip, O hear me ! 

PHILIP to an officer 

Pray, who is this woman ? 

MARY 
Philip, I cry for justice ! Hear me, Philip ! 

PHILIP 
Philip the tetrarch I, I deal out justice. 
Whether in Auranitis, Trachonitis, 
In rugged Ituraea or Philippi — 
I heed the cry for justice. Woman, speak ! 

MARY 
O, Philip, tetrarch, I must speak alone. 
To you alone. 

[259] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

PHILIP to his followers 

Pass on. 

Exeunt followers. 

MARY 

in the hearing of the guard 
Great is your name 
In wide-spread Auranitis, Trachonitis, 
In rugged Ituraea and Philippi. 

PHILIP 

in his natural tones 
Mary, my Syrian goddess, what wild errand 
Convoys you to this waste ? 

MARY 

Revenge, revenge! 
Revenge me on this insolent Ithomar, 
This lying patriot of the Sanhedrin. 

PHILIP 
What freakish wind has veered the rosy flame 
So lately leaping round his stony shrine ? 
Could you not melt him with your Cyprian fires ? 

MARY 
It was a pastime that has turned to war. 
Crush me the stone to fragments, mighty Philip. 

[260] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

PHILIP 
My eager deeds have run before your wish; 
Even now my emissaries lie in wait 
To entangle him in violent dispute 
With brawling Sadducees and Pharisees. 

MARY 
They were your creatures then, the carrion dogs. 
What next ? 

PHILIP 
The spear of Rome will end the matter. 

MARY 
But Ithomar is of such heroic mould, 
'Tis easier said than done — to prick him thus 
With Roman spear of common sentinel. 

PHILIP 
What would you, then ? Philip is at your service 
If Mary Magdala will pay the price. 

MARY scornfully 

Mary of Magdala does not beg for barter 
That which belongs to her, O Cesarean. 

PHILIP 
Mark, I will serve you, not as Philip, man, 
But Philip, head of Cesarea Philippi. 

[ 261 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

Ithomar, as you know — deny it not — 
Inflames the Sanhedrin with mutinous talk 
Against the imperial mother- city, Rome. 
Are you, too, patriot, that you turn so pale ? 
We have the knowledge but we lack the proof. 
Entice from him the parchment of that speech, 
Entrap him in your house — this your revenge. 
And Roman justice for the malcontent. 

MARY 
Turn traitor to my people to entrap him ? 

PHILIP 
No other man but Ithomar shall suffer. 

MARY 
Promise me, Philip, head of Cesarea. 

PHILIP 
I swear, and you? 

MARY 
I win the parchment from him. 
Before to-morrow's midnight moon swings low. 
Set watch upon the dark front of my house. 
And when the eastern shutter is flung wide 
To shoot a stream of radiance down the night 
Then let your soldiers spring upon their prey. 
Dear is revenge to Mary Magdala. 

[262] 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

Enter wearily from l, Cleo, a fathetic figure of 
faded beauty. 

PHILIP 
They will watch the signal of the open shutter. 
Dear is revenge to Philip, Mary's lover. 
Exit Philip, l. 

CLEO hesitatingly 

Is this, perchance, the pool they call Bethesda ? 

MARY 
What barren wave has washed this remnant up, 
The wasted ghost of immemorial trysts ? 

CLEO 
Forgive me if I syllable amiss ; 
I am unlearned in your Syrian speech. 
Is this, perchance, the pool they call Bethesda ? 

MARY 
Mayhap she seeks to wash away her sins 
Or some gray sorrow in the haunted pool. 

CLEO 
I am a stranger to this Roman province 
And weary from long journey over-seas ; 
I think I do not understand your words. 
Being overwrought and sick nigh unto death. 
She leans for support against a wall. 

[263] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 

Stranger she is to Cesarea Philippi, 
A wanderer with a ripple in her voice 
As aUen-wild as some faint voyaging bird 
Who Ughts upon a mast far out at sea. 
Stranger, what do you seek, or whom ? 

CLEO 

I seek — 

I seek my husband, lost to me long since. 

MARY 
What is his name ? 

Cleo hesitatesy and then an expression of piteous 
terror comes to her face. 

CLEO 
Ah, it has gone from me; 
I have forgot his name ; 'tis gone from me. 

MARY 
You seek your husband, knowing not his name ? 

CLEO 
Whither does this road lead? 

MARY 

Into the fields ; 

Only two houses lie beyond the gate. 

Go back to shelter and to sheltering friends. 

[264] 



ACTTWOiSCENEONE | 

Shubab enters from l with a lantern and waits for \ 

Mary. ! 

CLEO ; 

I have no shelter and no sheltering friends, \ 

My husband I must seek until I die. : 

Exit Cleo, l. ,j 

;i 

MARY I 

Now what poor dusty simpleton was this ? 1 

Long will she flutter for that star forbidden ! 
Until she beat her tattered wings to ruin, 

A hopeless fragment of forgotten beauty \ 

In the death-circle of some deadly lamp. i 

Scuffle and voices from r. Enter Jude, Dathan | 

and others in altercation with Ithomar, who holds | 

himself aloof. They crowd against him. ] 

ITHOMAB I 

Back from me, insolent rabble! i; 

ELON entering r. ] 

The guard, the guard! ; 

It is now almost dark. He claps his hands. All \ 

scatter^ leaving Ithomar and Elon facing each \ 

other and Mary leaning against the wall, her veil \ 
drawn about her. Enter four Soldiers, l. 



MARY MAGDALEN 

ITHOMAR 
This insolent rabble has dogged my steps to- 
night. 

ELON 
This man molests the peace. Arrest him, guard. 
Mary steps forward and points to Elon. 

MARY 
Here is the man, ring-leader of the brawl. 
The guard lay hands upon Elon. 

ELON 
I do protest! 

MARY 

A dangerous turbulent fellow. 

FIRST GUARD 
Lady, he will not trouble you again. 
We have bound him strongly. 

ELON as he is dragged ojf 
I appeal to Philip. 

Exeunt Guards and Elon. Mary and Ithomar 
look at each other in silence. 

MARY laughing 

Pray, have you found solution for your question ? 



ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 

ITHOMAR 
Philosophy has proved a surly mistress. 

MARY 
'Tis I have saved you, not philosophy. 

ITHOMAR tenderly 

'Tis you have saved me, not philosophy. 

MARY 

Did not the Teacher solve the riddle for you ? 

ITHOMAR 
The doctrine of the Christ is too austere; 
I listened and went sorrowing away. 
'Tis you w^ill solve my riddle, Magdalene. 
Shubab precedes them. They walk away, hand 
in hand. 

MARY lifting the lantern 
Mary of Magdala, like this flame endure, 
A taunt, a challenge, a loveliness, a lure. 

Curtain 

end of act ii 



[267] 



ACT in 

Scene I: Mary's House. 

Discovered — Philip and Zillah, 'parting 

at door, r. 

PHILIP 
Ithomar visits her to-night, you say. 
And has she won from him the manuscript ? 
The court at Antioch must needs have proof. 

ZILLAH 
I think that he has sworn to bring it to her. 
But Phihp, Mary half repents her vow 
And half she loves him while she lures him on; 
Strike then to-night or you will strike too late. 

PHILIP 
To-night. Fling wide the shutter when he 

comes. 
He takes the gold chain from his neck and puts it 
into her hand. Exit. 

[ 268 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

ZILLAH 

dangling the chain as she crosses to l. 
I wish I had the tetrarch for a lover, 
With such gold chains to throw at every bush. 
Enter, 2 e l, Mary and Azubah. 

MARY 
You smile as if you had a vision. 

ZILLAH 

I had. 

Exit ZiLLAH, 1 E L. 

AZUBAH 
My blood runs fainter when she smiles like that. 

MARY 
To Azubah, as they lie together on the cushions of 
the floor. 

Tell me, Azubah, have I won his heart 
Or loves he still that girl of long ago, 
The Rhodian beauty with her hair of gold. 
Whose fleeting likeness lay within my statue ? 

AZUBAH 
Was she his wife.'^ 

MARY 
I know she was his wife, 
And that they sailed together from her isle 

[ 269 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

In that first flush of youth and joy and love — 
Azubah, what would love like theirs be like 
To us who have only trod the scarlet way ? 
Think you, Azubah, we could know such love 
As blossoms in the soul of snow ? 

AZUBAH 

Would God, 
Would God I could untread the scarlet way! 

MARY 
But the great God who leads men by the hand. 
Leads some to peace and others to temptation. 
My lot was sown on thorny ground and hers, 
Golden-haired Cleo whom he made his wife. 
Was hedged about with flowers of quietness ; 
Let Great Jehovah judge between us two ! 
A silence. 

AZUBAH 
They sailed away, and then ? 

MARY 
The ship was wrecked; 
The wild Ionian gulf went over her; 
Cleo was lost and Ithomar returned. 
Gathered from bitter salvage of the sea, 

[ 270 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

To cherish until now her memory. 

I did not dream such faith was left in man. 

AZUBAH 
And you, you would entice him to forget ? 

MARY 
I love him better than my life, Azubah, 
And that was long ago. 

AZUBAH 

Has he forgot ? 
Mary does not answer hut is lost in thought. 

MARY 
Azubah, there shall be a duel this night — 
Dead Cleo or the living Magdalene. 
She rises. 

Look, I will wear the semblance of the statue. 
Standing all still upon its pedestal — 
She goes to the empty pedestal, followed by Cleo. 
The light is dim and I am robed in white, 
And these white roses garlanding my brow. 
She mounts the pedestal. 
Just as the statue when he burst upon me 
And cried out, " No, it is beyond belief. 
The lifted brow, the soft elusive smile — 
It is not you, O Mary Magdalen " 

[271] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

AZUBAH 

arranging her drapery 
Ah, now you seem a marble moveless thing. 

MARY 
I hear his voice. He comes. Azubah, quick, 
Lift up these folds across my shoulder, so ! 
A knock, two short raps, characteristic of Ithomar. 
The same signal was given in Act I. 
Azubah, hush ! No word of me but leave us ! 
Azubah goes to the door and lets in Ithomar, who 
removes his sandals while he speaks. 

ITHOMAR gallantly 
Some pretty tale is lingering in your eyes 

AZUBAH 
keeping her distance from him. 
You wish for Mary ? 

ITHOMAR 
What a shrewd surmise. 

AZUBAH 

Bowing as she retreats, 1 e l. 
I go and search for her. 
Exit Azubah. 

[ 272 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

ITHOMAR 
smiling compassionately at himself 
Mad Ithomar, 
Lo, here you are imbued with all the creeds. 
Inoculated with philosophy, 
The woman-fever riot in your veins! 
A whimsical contagion this, wise man ! 
As he moves slowly about the room his eyes fall 
upon the figure of Mary, statue-like on its pedestal. 
. . . How marvellously the sculptor fashioned it, 
Prisoning a soul within the insensate stone. 
Binding her youth to immortality 
And one fleet instant to eternity. 
. . . Where is thy likeness gone, my Rhodian girl. 
The smile of thine that only yestereve 
Hovered about the marble mouth of Mary ? 
He turns from the figure, as if addressing another 
one 

Cleo, I cannot now bring back thy face 
Across the long stretch of the dreary years : 
Cleo, forgive me if I do forget. 
After a pause, he turns to Mary. 
Dead Cleo, or the living Magdalene — 
Mary starts. 

... I could believe that her miraculous brow 

[273] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

Leaned downward like the moving of a cloud. 

Mary of Magdala, speak with those pure lips ! 

She reaches out a hand to him. He approaches 

her slowly as if in fear. 

A dream, a miracle, an insanity. 

As he touches her hand, she steps down from the 

pedestal and goes to his embrace. 

MARY 
A dream, a miracle, but reality ! 
Now I believe you love me, Ithomar, 
Me and none other, from the old dead past. 

ITHOMAR 
You and none other, Mary, perfect one ! 
They sit together on cushions by a low table, an 
which is a brazier of burning coals. 

MARY 
You are silent, wrapped away from me in silence. 

ITHOMAR 
There is no need of speech in happiness. 
But here is matter if we must converse. 
The manuscript that you have raved about; 
I am half curious at your eager whimsy 
To probe the dulness of the Sanhedrin. 

[ 274 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

He 'pushes the MS. to her across the table. She 
shows uneasiness. 

MARY 
My people's freedom is not dull discourse; 
Perhaps I, too, am patriot, Ithomar. 
But keep the manuscript within your bosom. 
During the next few speeches the manuscript is 
toyed withy pushed back and forth between them. 

ITHOMAE 
No, take it from me. 

MARY 
No, I wish it not. 

ITHOMAR 
You earnestly besought me. 

MARY 

Woman's whimsy. 

ITHOMAR 
A nobler zeal to share a desperate cause, 
I do beHeve. 
He puts the parchment into her hand. 

MARY earnestly 

What is this scroll to me ? 
Pray keep the tedious thing within your bosom. 

[275] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

ITHOMAR 
" Our people's freedom is not dull discourse. " 

MAUY 
Forgive me, Ithomar, my mad vagaries; 
Verily, I desired it from your hands : 
And now, in truth, I do desire it not. 
A woman's fancy is inscrutable. 

ITHOMAR resentfully 

You mock me to the utmost of your power. 
Beseeching me to give my honor to you. 
And playing with the gift in feline fashion. ' 
Was not the alabaster vase enough ? 

MARY 
The vase I have not yet. 

ITHOMAR 

You have my promise. 

MARY gently 
I do not wish to rouse your wrath against me. 
Listen, and we will read the script together: 
" O reverend high-priest, O all ye elders ! " 

ITHOMAR 
Nay, but most gently! 

[ 276 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

MARY 
Is there danger in it ? 

ITHOMAR 
Cried out upon the gates, 'twould cost my hfe; 
" Proscribed for mutiny against the Caesar ! " 
Behold my trust in you ! 

MARY 

But take it back. 
I fear to hold the tool of your proscription. 

ITHOMAR jesting 

Nay, read it to me in your woman's voice. 
There are no Roman spies in ambuscade. 

MARY 

" O reverend high-priest, O all ye elders ! " 

A voice is heard outside. 

VOICE 
Make way! 

MARY 

dropping the parchment on the table. 
Haste, you must leave me, Ithomar. 
Some one is at my door. 

ITHOMAR 

For some one leave you ! 
[277] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 
Go, as you love me, go ! 

ITHOMAR 
How desperate-earnest. 
All for a casual some one at the door ! 

MARY 
It is my mantle-maker, such a gossip, 
She chatters like the swallow in the eaves 
And scatters trouble like the thistle down. 

ITHOMAR lightly 

I fear her, Mary, more than armed men. 
A knock at the door. 

MARY 

'pointing to 2 e i, 
That is my chamber and the steps lead up 
Unto the roof where I will meet you soon. 
Exit Ithomar, 2 e l, and Mary goes to r and ad- 
mits Philip. She salutes him formally and he 
kisses her hand, endeavoring at the same time to 
draw her to him. She holds herself off. 

PHILIP sneeringly 

Our bargain is not finished, I remember. 

[ ns ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

MARY 
Philip, you come too soon. 

PHILIP 

Not soon enough 
To keep pace with impetuous desire. 

MARY 
What is your wish with me, O Philip, tetrarch ? 

PHILIP bitterly 

It pleases you to-night that I am tetrarch. 
And head of Cesarea Philippi ; 
Philip the tetrarch, eh, not Philip, man ? 
So be it, and obey the procurator; 
Where is that insolent seditionist, 
Ithomar of the Jewish Sanhedrin ? 

MARY 
He is not here. 

PHILIP 
You speak the truth to me ? 

MARY 
Was it not I that laid this trap for him ? 
Why should I, then, conceal the man I hate, 
Baffling my own revenge to baffle you ? 

[279] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

PHILIP 



But woman's mind- 



MARY 
My mind is constant still. 

PHILIP 
Where is the scroll, his mutinous harangue ? 
Mary moves slightly to "put herself between him 
and the table on which lies the scroll. 

MARY 
All in good time the parchment shall be given. 

PHILIP 
Inexorably I hold you to your pledge; 
The trap was yours at first, now also mine; 
The vengeance yours at first, now also mine. 
There is a sound in the adjoining roomy 2 e l. 
Mary glances uneasily in that direction and Phil- 
ip follows her glance. 

Whether you love or scorn this Ithomar, 
Why do you stare so strangely at that portal ? 
Whether you love or scorn this Ithomar, 
Who, loved or scorned, has come between us two, 
I swear that he shall reap the penalty. 
Swear to me, Mary ! 

[ 280 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

MARY 
I am steadfast still; 
The man I hate shall reap the penalty; 
To him I love, exceeding great reward. 
At a sound in the adjoining room Mary starts and 
moves to protect the manuscript. Philip sees it. 

PHILIP 
The scroll of Ithomar upon the table! 
I have proven your lie. 

MARY 
No, it is not the scroll. 
The speech of Ithomar. It is another. 
As they fence in words there is a constant play of 
action between themy Philip insidiously to ap- 
proach, Mary to ward him from the table. 

PHILIP 
What is it ? 

MARY 

A flimsy foreign trifle — 
A verse that — Zaxus penned. 

PHILIP 

Give it to me. 

MARY 
No, no. 

[281 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

PHILIP 
Ye gods, what bold effrontery! 
Have it I will ! 

He springs forward. She, with as sudden a mo- 
tion, takes from her hair the dagger-like pin, and 
confronts him thus, her hair falling to her shoul- 
ders, 

MARY 
Upon this dagger's point! 
With her left hand she feels for the parchment, to 
convey it stealthily to the brazier. Her back is to 
the table. 

PHILIP 
Ha, you would murder me! 

MARY 

You and myself, 
To save my people and my people's friend. 

PHILIP 
To save your lover! 
He threatens to attack her. 

MARY 

Philip, O beware ! 
Consider how the Roman world would flout 

[ 2S2 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

At Philip, head of Cesarea Philippi, 
Tetrarch of all these eastern provinces. 
Branded across the face indelibly 
By the weak fingers of a mocking girl. 
She lets the manuscript fall into the brazier and it 
flames up. 
Philip, beware! 

He seizes her wrist, wrenching the weapon from it 
and flings her against the wall. She, breathless 
and gasping, hurls her words at him with difficulty 
as he goes to the coals and tries to recover the manu- 
script. 

Ay, take your parchment scroll, 
A ruined heap of ash, a burning coal. 

PHILIP 

wringing his scorched fingers 
Pssh ! You shall feel the scourge of Rome for this. 
He goes to r. 

MARY laughing bitterly 
Run, put a poultice on your blistered fingers. 
Exit Philip, r 

Mary speaks in a deep, changed voice: 
Now let the scourge of Rome fall, blight and scar! 
I have saved from infamous death my Ithomar. 
Enter, from 1 r l, Zillah, with cautious curiosity. 

[283] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

ZILLAH 



You are alone? 

MARY 
I was alone. 

ZILLAH 

Oho, 

The languor of this night oppresses me. 

She goes to the shuttered window. Mary rapidly 

forestalls Zillah's purpose to open the lattice. 

MARY 
Stop, Zillah, dare not touch that window blind ! 

ZILLAH retreating 

Mercy of heaven, how you frighten me ! 
Look, there's a crimson mark upon your wrist. 
'Tis blood. 

MARY 
'Tis nothing. 

ZILLAH 

going out, 1 e l 
Play of hawks, forsooth! 
I would not have a lover like a hawk. 
Exit Zillah. 

r 284 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 

MARY 
A hawk herself, a prowHng claw-Hke creature. 
Did she surmise the signal of the shutter ? 
Enter Ithomar, 2 e l. 

ITHOMAR 
I have waited for you years upon that roof. 
Tree-tops and stars for silent company. 
But not your eyes, your voice — How pale you are ! 
You tremble. There is blood upon your wrist. 
What evil thing 

MARY 
'Tis nothing, Ithomar. 
A pin-prick from the fashioning of a garment. 

ITHOMAR 
The sharp-tongued mantle-maker plies her needle 
As shrewdly as her tongue — 
Mary reels and Ithomar goes to her. 

MARY 

My head is faint. 

ITHOMAR 
You breathe like one who suffocates for air — 
He rushes to the window and throws open the shutter. 

MARY 
My God, my God, you have flung the shutter wide ! 

[285] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

ITHOMAR kneeling by her 
Take heart, beloved, wild beasts enter not 
At open doors and windows in your house. 
A clank of arms without and trampling of feet 

MARY 
Ah, save yourself! 
Enter, r, a sound of Soldiers. 

ITHOMAR rushing to table 
My manuscript. Betrayed! 
The soldiers fetter him in silence. 

MARY 
Believe it not of me ! 

ITHOMAR 
My manuscript! 
God ! Now my eyes are open, I understand. 
Betrayed, betrayed, betrayed to shameful death. 
Trapped by the bright eyes of a wanton girl ! 

MARY kneeling 

Believe in me ! 

Exeunt Guards with Ithomar. 
He shall believe my worth. 
Unto this vow I swear by heaven and earth. 

Curtain. 
[ 286 ] 



Scene II: House of Mary. Enter y r, Rachel, 
limpingy and seeming to lead Joanna against her 
will. Deborah follows. 

DEBORAH 
We should not let her little feet, Joanna, 
Pass the polluted threshold of this house. 

JOANNA 
She begged to come. 

RACHEL 
I dreamed a dream last night — 

JOANNA 
She's always dreaming dreams and seeing visions. 

RACHEL 
I dreamed that Mary stood engulfed in dark 
And called to me to come and lead her forth; 
I hear her calling yet, " Oh, Rachel, Rachel ! " 

JOANNA 

aside, to Deborah 
She is possessed, that child. 

[287] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

RACHEL 

I went to her 
And led her to a hill of olive-trees, 
And lo ! upon the hill there stood a Cross. 

JOANNA going out 

I wash my hands of her and of her dream. 

DEBORAH to JoANNA 

Joanna, I will fetch her to you soon. 
That little child is stronger than ourselves. 
Exeunt both R. 

RACHEL looking about 

Her palace is all glorious within. 
Like unto that king's daughter, clothed in gold. 
Concerning whom 'tis writ in Holy Book: 
" Her clothing is of wrought gold wonderful. 
And all her raiment smells of myrrh and aloes ; 
God hath anointed her above her fellows 
With oil of gladness and with grace of beauty." 
How happy she must be in such a house. 
Enter, 2 e l, Mary, her expression sad. She does 
not at first see Rachel. 
Are you not happy in this glorious house ? 
Mary starts to perceive the child. 

[ 288 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 

MARY 
Rachel ! 
She goes to her and embraces her affectionately. 

RACHEL 
Mary, I dreamed of you last night, 
And so I came. But why are you not happy ? 
You tremble and your lids are wet with tears. 

MARY 
What did you dream ? 

RACHEL 
I dreamed that you were lost. 
And that you called to me to lead you forth. 

MARY 
You drsamed that I was lost! 

RACHEL 

Lost in the dark, 
And calling, calling, till I went to you 
And led you to a hill of olive-trees ; 
And lo ! upon the hill there stood a Cross. 

MARY 
I am glad you came, for I am sorrowful. 

RACHEL 
Why are you sorrowful ? 

[289] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 
There's one I love 
Betrayed to death, and I am his betrayer. 

RACHEL 
You? 

MARY 
Yes, unwiUingly I was the creature. 

RACHEL 
Where is he now ? 

MARY 
In prison at Antioch. 
For his release I have moved heaven and earth. 

RACHEL 
If you have prayed to Heaven and do have faith 
He will be freed, for Heaven is pitiful. 

MARY 
The Heaven I know is stony blind and deaf. 

RACHEL 
I have heard Jesus say : " If ye have faith 
But as a grain of mustard-seed, your prayers, 
Even of the little child, may move the moun- 
tains." 

[ 290 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 

MARY 
It is the good and pure who pray hke that, 
The pure in hfe. 

RACHEL 
I have heard Jesus say, 
" The pure in heart are blest and shall see God." 

MARY 
Ah, Rachel, Rachel, you are but a child. 
You do not understand the sinning heart. 

RACHEL 
I have heard Jesus say that though your sins 
Be scarlet they shall be as white as wool. 

MARY 
Take me unto this Master, Rachel, child. 
If He will wash my sins as white as wool — 

RACHEL rising 

Let us go straightway. 

MARY 

Nay, not yet, not yet ! 
Ithomar may return to me this day; 
I wait for messenger from Antioch. 

[291] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

RACHEL 
Then I will come for you again, singing 
For sign to you beneath your window lattice. 
Dear Mary, promise that you will obey 
The bidding of my voice in song like this : 
" Come unto Me, 
Come unto Me, 
Come unto Me all ye that labor. 
All ye that labor and are heavy-laden. 
And I will give you rest, 
And I will give you rest. " 
Deborah's voice is heard outside. 



Rachel ! 



VOICE ] 

1 

MARY 

I heard a voice. ; 

RACHEL \ 

'Tis Deborah come for me. i 

MARY \ 
I fear the woman Deborah for her curses 

That have brought woe to me and to my house. I 

Woe unto me on whom her curses fell ; i 

I am proud no longer, I am humbled now — < 
I will beseech her to remove the curse. 

Enter Deborah, r. | 

[292] 



I 



ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 

DEBORAH 
Rachel ! 

RACHEL 
Yes, Deborah. 

MARY 

rushing forward and catching hold of Deborah's 
skirt 

Woman, I pray, 
I pray you to remove that curse you set; 
You cursed me, saying I should accursed be 
With madness, blindness, violent vexation. 
With burning and astonishment of heart. 
Remove the curse, remove it from my head, 
Remove the burden of the heavy curse. 

DEBORAH 
Nay, verily, the curse is of your brewing. 
For you yourself have trodden the vintage out 
From grapes of wrath into this cup of trembling. 

MARY 
No, no, I do beseech you 



RACHEL 

Deborah, come. 
Enter Cleo, hesitatingly, at the open door. 

[293] 



MARY MAGDALEN j 

DEBORAH ' 

Another lost lamb straying to the fold. | 

Child, we will go. { 

RACHEL to Mary j 

Do not forget my sign. i 

Exeunt, r, Deborah and Rachel. j 

CLEO i 

I saw him pass within the porch one day- ; 

i 

MARY I 

Saw himi Oh, it is you again, poor bird, j 

Poor dusty, wandering alien. J 

CLEO ) 

Let me rest 1 

Before I speak again — I am so tired! ( 

MARY 1 

j 

leading her to 2 E L :' 

Here in my chamber you shall rest and sleep. ! 

Exit Cleo. Mary returns. ) 

Perhaps she has a sorrow great as mine; | 

By day it follows her, apace, apace, ;| 

It sleeps with her by night upon her pillow, ) 
It wakes with her in dawn's first glimmering light. 
Enter 1 e l, Azubah, her arms full of flowers, 
boughs of white almond blossom. 

[294] 'I 



ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 

MARY 
We have no need of those. 

AZUBAH 

laying down the flowers 
Take courage, Mary, 
Keep a brave front before a scornful world. 
How quickly men will say your hour declines. 

MARY 
I care not. 

AZUBAH 
You must wear your jewels to-day, 
So to deceive the hard heart of the world. 
Exit AzUBAH, 2 E I/. 

MARY 
Be careful not to wake that sleeping one. 
She sits in quiet, awaiting Azubah's return. 
AzuBAH comes with the jewels in her hands and 
arranges them on Mary's neck and brow. 

AZUBAH 

Now smile above the grief that eats your heart. 
For when you laugh the world will laugh with you, 
They say, but when you weep you weep alone. 

[295] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 
Better salt tears than whited sepulchres. 

AZUBAH 
Women are made to laugh and to dissemble; 
I have often laughed to ward away a tear. 
Enter 2 e l, Shubab, with flowers. 

MARY 
Then scatter flowers as you will, Azubah, 
And laugh to celebrate a day of doom. 
Exit Mary, 1 e l. 

AZUBAH 

arranging flowers about the room 
She is distraught with grief for Ithomar, 
And sleepless nights have sapped her former 

courage. 
Shubab follows her, handing the branches to her, 

SHUBAB 
This morning when I knocked upon her door. 
Her lamp still burned — it was a sinful waste — 
And she sat so — her arms upon the table — 
Azubah turns to look at his imitation and laughs. 

AZUBAH 
In sooth, 'tis very much the look of Mary. 
She continues her decoration. Shubab takes the 

[ 296 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 

last branch and, after trying it in several awkward 
positions about the room, sticks it grotesquely in 
his belt and assumes an attitude. Azubah turns, 
with her hand outstretched for the branch. 

AZUBAH 
Give me the branch. 

SHUBAB childishly 

It's mine, you cannot have it. 
He scampers away from her and she pursues him in 
the spirit of a child. A knock comes at the door and 
both stop. Shubab goes to the door and receives a 
message. Returning, he leaves the door ajar and 
speaks with the air of one who has a great secret. 

SHUBAB 
It was a servant come from Ithomar. 
He said his master was released to-day, 
Will visit Mary, she is not to know. 
He will surprise her by his wonted knock. 

AZUBAH 
How glad I am, how glad I am for Mary ! 
Mary, entering, 1 e l, finds them both laughing. 

MARY 
You happy children! 

[297] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

AZUBAH 
Happiness costs little. 

MARY 
The price of happiness is very small, 
And so the world esteems it at its price, 
With reckless hand, and loses it thereby. 

AZUBAH 
You would be happy if you had our cause. 

MARY 

with gentle reproach 
Be happy with a reason of your own 
And troubled not by my unhappiness. 
Exeunt, 1 e l, Shubab and Azubah. Shubab 
picks up the branch and waves it triumphantly as 
he goes out. 

MARY 
If Ithomar should return, should be set free, 
Would he accuse me as his vile betrayer, 
Or would these days and nights of travail for him 
Bring forth at last joy and forgivingness ? 
Enter quietly by the open door, r, Ithomar. He 
stands silently till Mary sees him. She, too, is 
silent, hardly believing. 

[ 298 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 

MARY 
Ithomar, you! I have dreamed and prayed for 

this. 
Why are you silent ? Do you still accuse me ? 

ITHOMAR 
What are these jewels on your brow, your breast ? 

MARY 
Gifts of my slaves, for no one is my master 
Save you, you, you ! Look how I fling them from 

me. 
The gems of tetrarch Philip, spurned they lie ! 
I spurn them all, I hurl them from my life, 
I'll none of them. Believe me, Ithomar. 

ITHOMAR 
Almost you do persuade me to believe, 
With that knit brow and sword-flash of the eyes. 
Where have you learned such seeming -elemental 
Turmoil of tortured soul, tempestuous Mary ? 

MARY 
I have learned from love, for love is elemental, 
Not seeming-elemental, Ithomar. 

ITHOMAR 
Too great your simpleness to be believed. 
Mary, you speak too simply for your sex. 

[299] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 

My sex is my misfortune, not my crime, 
Breeding in you such cruel disbelief; 
Behold, all simply as a child I come. 
Begging you, Ithomar, believe, believe! 
Even if you cast away the love I give you, 
Even if you scorn me for the love I give you, 
Believe the love is yours, believe, believe ! 

ITHOMAR 
Even before while I was yet in prison 
You conquered me to uttermost belief. 

MARY 
I kiss your hand, my master and my lord. 

ITHOMAR 
I will return to you, bringing a pledge - 
Inviolate, to seal my love for you. 
Exit Ithomar, r. 

MARY joyfully 

You almond-blooms, you voices of the spring, 
He brings a pledge, a pledge inviolate. 
She draws the curtains before the 'pedestal and lays 
branches before it. 

[ 300 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 

Oh, happy pedestal to hold the vase! 

Enter Cleo, 2 e l. 

Poor soul, unburden your sad tale to me. 

CLEO sitting on the divan 
If I could only bring to memory back 
The names of things and people long ago. 
I feel like one who, gazing at the sun, 
Has blotted all her world to shapeless dark; . 
So I, from too-long staring at my sorrow. 
Have lost the sharpness of the edge of things. 

MARY 
What is your name ? 

CLEO 
Even that I have forgot; 
Sometimes it hovers just within my reach, 
But when I clutch for it, lo ! nothingness.' 
The empty motes dance in the mocking sun. 
I lived on a fair island of the sea 
Where marble temples rose, and statued gods 
Were white and wonderful with outstretched arms. 
The shimmer of my hair was like spun gold ; 
I danced and sang beneath the orchard trees; 
There came a lover to this laughing isle; 

His face was as the visage of a god 

[301] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 

Yes, yes, his name ? 

CLEO dully 

I have forgot his name, 
But this I do remember, he was born 
In Cesarea PhiUppi, and he spoke 
A Syrian tongue, amazing sweet and strange. 
He married me in early blossom time; 
The almond-trees were white as little brides. 
We sailed away upon a rocking ship 

MARY intensely 

And then 

CLEO 
There came the rain and stormy wind. 
Thunder and lightning and tempestuous seas. 
The crash of riven timber, the suck and swash 
Of water and a waste of human bodies. 
I have never seen him since that night of horror. 

MARY 
Your name is Cleo! 

CLEO 

Zeus on high be praised! 
Are you an oracle that you speak so well ? 
Tell me his name, you Delphic oracle ! 

[ 302 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 

MARY 
His name? 

CLEO 
His name, that I may find my husband. 
Mary's jace denotes the terrific struggle in her 
mind. 

MARY 
I cannot tell his name. 

CLEO 
Have you not heard his name ? Do you not know 
it? 

MARY 
I do not know it. 

CLEO 
Then alas for me ! 
I have been in slavery these many years 
With this one hope before me like a light 
Gleaming adown a dreary corridor. 
The light gone out, I shall not find my way. 

MARY 
Have you been true to him these many years ? 

CLEO 
I have been slave unto a Roman master. 
The master of my heart has been but one. 

[303] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MABY 
The pure in heart ! I understand the saying. 
Believe you, Cleo, that he, too, your — husband. 
Has been a loyal lover ? 

Cleo, as she answers, sinks backward upon the 
cushions and her voice grows fainter in weariness. 

CLEO 

I believe it. 
I gave him once an alabaster vase — 
Mary starts. 

Sculptured without in mystic symbolism. 
Holding within an attar of perfume 
Rare as the scent of grape-vines in the spring; 
I sealed the vase and gave it to his hand, 
Saying it was the symbol of our love. 
And he should never lose or break the vase. 
Nor ever part with it till I was dead 
Or love was dead within his heart for me. 

MARY 
Or love was dead within his heart for you. 

CLEO 
And then the mystic vase should shattered lie. 
Its rare perfume fled to the unthinking sky. 

[304] 



ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 

Cleo's voice grows very faint, fades away, and her 
head falls upon the cushions. Her eyes close as if 
in sleep. Zillah enters r, gaily clad. 

ZILLAH shrilly 

Why do you sit in such solemnity ? 

MARY 
Why do you spread your feathers like a peacock ? 

ZILLAH 
Forsooth, this is the evening of your triumph, 
When you have bid your friends unto a feast. 
With a mocking laugh she runs to the alcove, draws 
the curtains to show the empty pedestal. 

Where is the vase, the alabaster vase 

Cleo sharply sighs. 

CLEO in her sleep 

The light gone out, I shall not find my way. 

MARY in a hushed voice 
Do you not see I have a stranger here 
Whose tired head is hurt by noisy laughter ? 

ZILLAH going out 

And where is he, the worshipful 

[305] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 

Go out! 
Exit, 1 E L, ZiLLAH. Mary goes to Cleo and 
arranges the cushions under her. She stands 
thoughtfully looking at her. 

Sleep, weary wanderer, fold your wings and sleep. 
After a pause. 

She sealed the vase and gave it to his hand, 
Saying it was a symbol of their love, 
And he should never lose or break the vase. 
Nor ever part with it till she was dead 
Or love was dead within his heart for her. 
A pause. 

And then the mystic vase should shattered lie, 
Its rare perfume fled to the unthinking sky. 
She walks away pondering. Ithomar's knock at 
the door. 
His knock ! He must not see her, must not find 

her — 
She conceals Cleo's face with a silk covering. 
I lied to her and I must lie to him. 
To found my happiness upon a lie? 

To build a house upon the unstable sand 

The knock being repeated, Mary opens the door. 
Ithomar enters, followed by a servant with the vase. 

[ 306 ] 



ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 

ITHOMAR 
Mary, I bring the alabaster vase, 
Glad symbol of our reunited love. 
The servant holds the vase to Mary, hut she 
stands struck dumb and does not take it. 
Then from my hands receive it. 

MARY 

intercepting his intention 

Nor from you. 

Ithomar signals to his Servant to leave them. He 

sets dotvn the vase and leaves the rooniy r, with an 

obeisance. 

ITHOMAR 
O Sphinx, unlock the riddle. 

MARY 

Ithomar, 
She sealed the vase and gave it to your hand — 

ITHOMAR 
The answer of the Sphinx is still a riddle. 

MARY 
You told me once of — Cleo — and — her isle — 

ITHOMAR 
The long ago! 

[307] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 
But should the long ago come back to life — 

ITHOMAR 
Waste not your thought on the impossible. 

MARY 

Nay, answer me. 

ITHOMAR 

shaking himself free of Mary 
Grimly. 

Then have your answer, Mary Magdalen. 
She was my wife, and you — are — what you are. 
Mary sinks into a heap on the floor and rocks to and 
fro, wailing. Ithomar stands with folded arms 
and an ironical smile on his face. 

MARY 
God, am I not as other women are ? 
I would be loved as other women are; 
Have I not yearned for wifehood's high estate, 
Have I not burned for holy motherhood ? 
When Rachel's arms went round my neck that day. 
Did not my heart cry out for motherhood. 
Exceeding bitter travail of the soul 
For little arms and little lips to cling. 
And little feet to nestle in my hand ? 

[308] 



ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 

ITHOMAR coldly 

What new insanity is this, my Cyprian ? 
Come, take the vase and give me warmer wel- 
come 
Than tears and questionings and repentances. 

MARY 

"passionately 
The vase is hers, is hers who gave it you. 
She points to Cleo's quiet figure. 
She sealed the vase and gave it to your hand — 
Ithomar goes to Cleo and looks at her, turning 
away the covering from her face. 
Saying it was a symbol of your love, 
And you should never lose or break the vase, 
Nor ever part with it till she was dead. 
Or love was dead within your heart for her. 
Ithomar kneels by Cleo and after a while leans 
forward to kiss her forehead. He buries his face 
on her breast, but she does not stir. Then he rises 
and turns to Mary. 

ITHOMAR solemnly 

Come here! 

Mary advances slowly as if in fear. 
Behold how quietly she sleeps. 

[309] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 
Poor wandering bird, how quietly she sleeps ! 
You scarce would know her bosom heaved at all, 
Your golden Cleo of the Rhodian isle. 

ITHOMAR 
It is the sleep from which there is no waking. 

MARY crying out sharply 
Dead ! Then I killed her with that lie of mine ! 
Leave us alone together, Ithomar! 

ITHOMAR 
I have come from prison to your arms, O Mary. 
Where shall I go, how shall I wait for you ? 

MARY 
Where shall you wait for me ? 

ITHQMAR 

There are two doors. 
One leads to darkness, one into your chamber. 
Mary hesitates^ looking from R to l. Then in 
silence opens the door to her chamber. Exit Itho- 
mar, 2 E L. Mary closes the door after him and 
goes to Cleo. 

MARY 
How changed her look since May-time long ago, 
His golden Cleo of the Rhodian isle. 

[310] 



ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 

" It is the sleep from which there is no waking. " 
I am glad she does not know that he forgot. 
She kneels. 

I killed her, killed her with that lie of mine. 
Forgive me, Cleo, for the cruel lie. 
Dead face of Cleo, smile upon me once, 
Smile once for sign you have forgiven me. 
How sad and stern those patient lips of death ! 
She rises and goes about the room, gathering up the 
branches and heaping them on Cleo. 
Are they as sweet as almond-flowers of Rhodes ? 
Dead Cleo, answer me : 

Rachel's voice is heard singing beneath the win- 
dow. 

RACHEL^S VOICE 
Come unto Me, 
Come unto Me, 
Mary listens, goes to the vase, lifts it on high. 
Come unto Me all ye that labor. 
All ye that labor and are heavy-laden — 
Mary advances a step or two to her outside door and 
then to her chamber door. 

MARY 
Lo, shall I sell myself for this, this vase ? 

[311] 



MARY MAGDALEN I 



RACHEL S VOICE 
And I will give you rest, 
And I will give you rest, 
Mary sets the vase down at Cleo*s feet. 

Rachel's voice 
Come unto Me — 
Mary goes to the r, the outside door and opens it. 

MARY 
What were those piercing words of Jesus Christ ? 
" If any man will follow after Me — " 
She goes out. 

Curtain 

end of act iii 



[312] 



ACT IV 

Scene I — House of Joanna^ the Wool-Dyer. A 

plain and humble upper chamber. Window r, 

looking down on street. Door c, leading below. 

Door L, leading to bedroom. Dyeing-vats^ a pole, 

lines across a corner with stubbs hung to dry, a 

pile of other stuffs ready for the vats. 

Discovered — Joanna, wringing out garments. 

Rachel on floor, playing with an Egyptian doll of 

wood. 

JOANNA 

Rachel, I have a mind to call her again to see if 
she be yet stirred out of bed. Folk who wish 
to turn good may well begin by getting up 
betimes. 'Tis as much a shining mark of 
virtue as to pray long prayers on street cor- 
ners. 

Calling. 

Mary, Mary! 

mart's voice 

Yes, Joanna, I am coming. 

[313] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

JOANNA 
We will see how she relishes plain fare and the 
vats of the wool-dyer. 

RACHEL 
She has given away to the poor all her beautiful 
possessions. 

JOANNA 
All but that graven image of a vase. She hoards 

it in the room yonder. 
Enter, l, Mary, soberly clad. 

MARY 
Lo, here I am, Joanna, for my labor. 

JOANNA 
You to help me with those white hands of yours ! 

MARY 
Yes, for to-day a new life is begun. 
And the old life is put behind me far. 

JOANNA confidentially 

What, then, of this fine lover Ithomar ? 

MARY 
I cannot put him from my life, Joanna, 
The thought of him. Is that a wrong, Joanna? 

[314] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 

JOANNA 
If he thinks a deal of you, as we plain folk look at 
it, to speak straight out of my mind without 
regard to what the learned rabbis might have 
to say, sooth, the best way for a woman as has 
gone wrong is to marry herself to any one who 
will have her, and after that to live as honest 
as ever she can. That's my say, but I'm 
only Joanna. 

MARY 

leaning against the wall 
I fear — he does not think of me like — that. 
Joanna 'pichs up from the floor a soiled white gar- 
ment and spreading it out between her arms, sur- 
veys it thoughtfully. Rachel looks up from her 
play. 

RACHEL 
Was that soiled raiment once all white and clean ? 
Why do you never steep them in some dye 
To make the stain and soil all white again ? 

JOANNA 
You can't make a soiled thing like this white 
again. 

RACHEL 
Why not? 

[315] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

JOANNA 
There is no dye I ever mixed as will do that. 
When the soil and stain get rubbed in like 
this, they can't be made white again. It must 
stay soiled, or else — 

MARY 
Or else ? 

JOANNA 

Throw it in the fire. 

Mart sighs. 

Is this your fashion of labor, my girl ? You will 
have to learn from us humble people if you 
earn so much as your salt by the toil of your 
hands. 

MARY 

Forgive my idleness. I have not learned 

My lesson yet of humbleness and toil. 

JOANNA 
While I have my hands in the vats here, will you 
go out on the street and fetch home for our 
dinner some oil in that cruse ? It is clean 
gone. 

MARY 
I would go gladly, but I fear the streets; 
I fear to be discovered by my lover; 

[316] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 

I am not strong enough against his tempting. 
Also I fear to be tracked down by Phihp 
And fall beneath the scourge of his revenge. 

JOANNA 
Has Philip the tetrarch cause to trouble you ? 

MARY 
Ay, baflBed hate and wounded vanity. 

JOANNA 
I will fetch it, then, while you keep the house with 

little Rachel here. 
Joanna prepares for her departure, taking the 
cruse and wrapping a veil about her head. 

MARY 

And I will tend to your work, Joanna. When you 

return, I will show you all I have done. 

JOANNA 
Let that piece stand in the purple a bit longer and 

then wring it dry and spread it on the rope. 
Exity c, Joanna. 

RACHEL springing up 

I am forgetting something, sitting here 
i And plapng with a wooden painted doll. 
I am forgetting I can run and dance. 

[617] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

Is it not wonderful to run and dance ? 

Was it not wonderful that He could heal me ? 

MARY in awed tones 

It was a wonder and a miracle. 
Tell me again those words He spoke. 

RACHEL 

He said : 
"Suffer the little children to come unto Me and 
forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of 
heaven. " 

MARY 
I would I were a little girl again, 
With you to enter at that heavenly gate. 
Lo, have I not denied myself, O Christ, 
And given all my riches to the poor ? 
What is it stands between me and that door ? 

RACHEL 
Perhaps it is the alabaster vase. 

MARY 
Must I deny myself even that, O Lord, 
Uttermost symbol of the love of earth ? 
He said : " Whoso would follow after Me, 
Let him deny himself, take up his cross — - 

[318] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 

RACHEL 
I am so happy this morning, Mary, because I can 

run and dance. 
Play with me a Httle while. Run with me. 

MARY 
You dear child, I will play with you. 
She leads her to a corner of the room. 
We will start here, so, and see which reaches first 

that far corner. No, no. 
As Rachel commences running. 
We must begin together. I will count. One, 

two, three. At the three, we run. Now! 

One. Two. Three! 
They run and Rachel wins. 
You have beaten me in the race. 

RACHEL 
May little children run in heaven ? Let us 

try it again. I will count. One. Two. 

Three! 
They run and Rachel again wins, according to 
Mary's purpose. 
I am sorry you lost again. I will try not to run 

so fast next time. What else do children 

play? 

[319] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY thinking 

I must think. I have almost forgotten children's 
games. There was a game we called "hunt- 
mg. 

RACHEL 
What is that? 

MARY 
You are the hunted and I am the hunter. This 
chair is your house and here you are safe. 
Now I will pursue you and when you are 
tired you may seek refuge in your house. 

RACHEL 
I think I shall like this game of " hunting. " 
They play at it with many feints and subterfuges y 
till Rachel puts her hand on the chair, breathless. 
Home ! 

MARY breathless 

You are safe. 

RACHEL 
Once more! 

MARY 
I have not run so since I was a little girl. 

RACHEL 
You are not very old, are you ? You looked al- 
most like a httle girl when you were running. 
Joanna never plays with me. 
[320] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 

MARY 
Joanna! In truth, Rachel, you have made me 

forget Joanna's bidding. 
She goes to the vat. 
These were to be wrung dry. 
She peers in doubtfully. 
How shall I get them out ? 

RACHEL 
Joanna puts her hands in and wrings them — so. 

MARY 
Plunge my hands into that fearsome liquid! 

Rachel ! If I had a stick to lift them by. 
She looks about^ and while she does so there comes a 
sound of trumpets from the street. Rachel runs 
to the window and stands on the little balcony Ihat 
abuts on the sill. 

RACHEL 
Come to the window, quick! 

MARY 
I dare not come. I dare not show myself to all 
the street. 

RACHEL 
They celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 

[ 321 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

Such palms and banners! Such young men and 

maidens ! 
Such silver trumpets! 

MARY 
Do you see Azubah ? 
But I forget you do not know Azubah. 
If I could only find her, win her to me, 
Win her away from Philip masterful. 
The baleful star that dogs her destiny. 
She approaches the balcony. Rachel makes 
place for her, retiring. 
Azubah! Now I see her, borne aloft 
Like a fair idol by the tetrarch's side. 
Ah, would she turn her head! 

RACHEL 

plucking at Mary in fear 
That man has seen you. 

MARY waving her hand 
Azubah ! she has seen me and she answers. 
She returns to the room again as the sound of the 
procession grows fainter. 

RACHEL 
The wolf man saw you and he marked the window. 

[322] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 

Now they have turned the corner. Now they 
vanish. 

MARY 
Little Azubah will come back to me 
And I will bring her to the Master's feet. 
Perhaps even yet salvation is for her, 
Though not for me, because my sins are legion. 

RACHEL 
Who was that wolfish man who glared at you ? 

MARY 
I did not see him. 

RACHEL 

With the beady eyes. 
Two teeth like tusks of swine, a yellow turban. 

MARY 
Elon ! Elon, the parasite of Philip, 
Of all my foes the most implacable. 
Since that I trapped liim by his own device 
And sent him howling like a dog to prison. 
She goes to Rachel impressively. 
Rachel, if any harm should come to-day, 
Fear not for me, I fear not for myself. 

RACHEL 
Oh, Mary, Mary! 

[323] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MARY 
If the soldiers find me, 
To apprehend me under Philip's ban. 
Say not one word to them in my defence. 

RACHEL 
I am so strong I will defend you stoutly — 
A sound of men's voices without. Mary runs to 
the door and bolts it. Rachel closes the windows 
and bars them. Mary goes to the vats and busies 
herself with work while Rachel plants herself 
watchfully by the door. 

VOICE 
In, let us in! 

MARY to Rachel 

I swear they will not know me. 
Speak not my name. 

VOICE 
We come from Philip, tetrarch. 

MARY 
Speak not my name; I am Joanna, dyer. 

VOICE 

as they hammer on the door 
In, let us in ! We come from Philip, tetrarch. 

[324] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 

RACHEL 
What do you want ? This is Joanna's house. 

VOICE 

Unbolt the door or we will break it down. 

RACHEL 
throwing her little form against the door 
I will not let you enter. 

MARY 

Let them enter. 
Child, you will anger them. 

RACHEL withdrawing 

Then break the door, 
But I will not unloose the bolts for you. 

MARY 
Rachel, for my sake, hide yourself. Stay not. 

RACHEL 
Nay, I will stay with you. 

The door is hurst open and several Soldiers enter, 
the foremost being Jude and Dathan. 

JUDE 
Where is the brat that barred us ? 

RACHEL 

Here I am. 
[325] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

DATHAN 
Leave her alone. Our quest is bigger game. 
We come to seize one Mary Magdalen. 
Where is she ? Let us search. 
To the others. 

Guard ye the door. 
Mary stands with her back to them, stirring in a 
stolid way. 

RACHEL 
This is Joanna's house, the curtain-dyer. 
Mary turns to them but keeps her hands behind her. 

MARY 
It is Joanna's house and here I am. 

JUDE boisterously 

Joanna, Anna, Hannah, curtain-dyer, 
It matters not. 

MARY 

Search for this — other woman. 

They begin the search. 

Much do I marvel at your insolence. 

They pass into the other apartment and return 

again. Mary keeps her hands studiously from 

their view. 

[826] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 

DATHAN to JUDE 

This, to my certain knowledge, was the house 

JUDE 
They told us she was decked in gay apparel, 
With stones of many colors and white hands. 

DATHAN 
This woman here who calls herself Joanna 
She is not like to be the one we're after. 

JUDE ironically 

Joanna, the white-handed, the wool-dyer ! 

MARY 
Now shame upon you to mock my honest toil ! 

JUDE 

Doubtless we erred in singling out this chamber. 

DATHAN 
Yet do I marvel that they barred us out. 
As they go out, they pass Rachel and Jude raises 
his hand as if to cujf her. 

JUDE 
It was this brat. 

Rachel cries out in fear and Mary turns quickly, 
her hand raised in impulsive defence. The men 
catch a glimpse of its whiteness. 

[327] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

DATHAN 
Look there ! Those lily hands ! 
Nay, they were never dipped in Tyrian dyes. 
JuDE seizes Rachel roughly. 
The child will tell the truth : I'll force it from her. 
Who is that woman ? 
She is silent, looking fiteously to Mary. 
You need not lie to me. 

RACHEL 
I will not lie to you. 

JUDE 

What is her name? 
Is she Joanna or some other woman ? 
He grasps Rachel's wrist so that she utters a cry 
of pain. 

MARY stepping forward 
I am that Mary, called of Magdala — 

Curtain 

knd of scene i 



[328] 



ACT IV 

Scene II — The Porch of the Temple — Jesus 
has written on the ground and gone within the 
Templey leaving outside the group of Elders with 
the sinning woman, who is Mary. Philip her 
accuser, stands a little apart, fiercely scowling. 
Mary is the centre of the group. Each man stands 
in the attitude and expression in which he was 
when the words of Jesus were spoken. Reproach, 
self-satisfaction, amazement, scorn, anger, guilt, are 
expressed. Some look toward the spot on the 
ground where the words are traced. An old man 
is deciphering them with his staff. 

PHILIP after a pause 

Silenced so soon by your fanatic here, 
With his mysterious writing on the ground ! 
She is upon your hands, ye priests and elders, 
This sinning woman of your tribe and city. 
Judge ye among yourselves the Magdalene, 
The rankness and flamboyance of her sins. 
Exit Philip with his guard. The tableau is held 
for an appreciable moment. Then each man^ in 

[329] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

turUy goes to the writing^ reads it in silence, and as 
silently passes out. Rachel comes dancing down 
the street, a song upon her lip. She sees the solemn 
group and Mary, with bowed head in their midst. 
She is hushed and pauses, her finger to her lip. 
The last man goes out, leaving Mary and Rachel 
together. 

MARY 
Come to me, Rachel 
Rachel runs to her and Mary weeps. 

RACHEL 
Do not cry, dear Mary. 

Look how He healed me of my grievous hurt. 
Also He shall have power to cure your soul. 

MARY 
How fierce they were against me till He spoke ; 
*' Neither do I condemn thee; sin no more. " 
But ah, He did not know. He could not know 
The multitude of my sins. 

RACHEL 
Yet I have heard 
** Though they be scarlet He shall wash them 

white." 
Enter Deborah from the r side of the roadway. 

[330] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 

MARY shrinking 

Shield me from her, shield me from Deborah ! 

DEBORAH gently 

I would not now condemn you, Magdalene, 
For some of us in weakness lose our way 
And some of us through hardness of the heart. 
I pray to God that He may save us both. 
Exit Deborah into the temple. Mary looks at 
Rachel with inquiry. 

RACHEL 

rising to follow Deborah 
She also sat at Jesus' feet to-day. 
Exit Rachel in the temple. 

MARY 

For some of us through weakness lose our way 
And some of us through hardness of the heart. 
If He has wrought this miracle with her, 
Melting her stony hate to gentleness, 
I do believe in His miraculous power 
To wash away the multitude of my sins. 
Enter, l, Azubah, carrying on her shoulder the 
alabaster vase. She sets it on the step of the temple 
by Mary. 

[331 ] 



MARY MAGDALEN 

MAEY 
Azubah, let us wait together here 
Until the Christ come forth from out the temple. 

AZUBAH 
I hurried and my heart beat furiously, 
For Philip followed hard upon my steps. 
Enter, r, Ithomar. 

MARY 

Stay by, Azubah, help me to be strong. 

ITHOMAR 
Mary, my house and heart are open to you. 
You that erstwhile have called me lord and master. 
Obey the passionate mandate of your master. 

MARY 
I have another and a higher Master. 

ITHOMAR 
A ten days' foolish flare of infatuation. 

MARY 
Forever and forever, saith my soul. 
A silence. 

ITHOMAR 

with a change of tone 
Mary, my house and heart are hungry for you. 
Take pity on me and relent, relent 

[332] 



ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 

MARY 
I am filled with infinite pity, Ithomar. 
For you and for myself and for us all. 

ITHOMAR 
Give then your answer to my thirsting soul. 
AzuBAH whispers and points to the temple door. 

AZUBAH 
Mary, He comes. 

MARY lifting the vase 

I hold it in my hands, 
Your answer, Ithomar, the mighty Answer. 
The door of the temple opens and chanting voices 
are heard. The disciples come out and then a 
great radiance is seen that blurs everything. Mary 
lifts the vase on high in the attitude of one who is 
about to let it fall. 
Take thou the vase, the broken vase, O Lord ! 

Curtain 



END OF plat 



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